Which of the following social reforms were started by William Bentinck?
- 1. Abolition of Sati Pratha
- 2. Abolition of slavery
- 3. Removal of the provision of disqualification due to religious conversion
- 4. Suppression of organized gangs of thugs
Select the correct answer from the code given below-
- A1 and 2 only
- BOnly 1, 3 and 4
- COnly 1, 2 and 4
- DOnly 1, 2, 3 and 4
- ENone of the above
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (c) Only 1, 2 and 4
Explanation
Lord William Bentinck became the Governor-General in 1828. In 1829, he declared Sati a crime and abolished it. During Bentinck’s period, the Charter Act, 1833 was passed; it contained provisions aimed at abolishing slavery. Bentinck also launched a campaign against Thug gangs and tried to suppress them. He also worked on education and freedom of the press. In 1835, he returned to England. The provision of disqualification due to religious conversion was removed in 1850. Therefore, statements 1, 2 and 4 are correct, and hence option (c) is the correct answer. Note—The Charter Act of 1833 was an initial and policy-level step towards the abolition of slavery, but slavery did not end immediately after the Act was passed. Rather, it provided a practical platform for abolition. The actual and formal abolition of slavery took place through the Indian Slavery Act, 1843. This Act directly declared the buying and selling of slaves, and keeping slaves, illegal.