UPSC Prelims 2020 · Question 12 of 100
UPSC Prelims 2020 question on Rakhmabai Case
- ExamUPSC CSE
- Year2020
- PaperGeneral Studies Paper I
- SubjectModern History
- TopicSocio-Religious Movements
- DifficultyHard
- TypeStatement
In the context of Indian history, the Rakhmabai case of 1884 revolved around
1. women's right to gain education
2. age of consent
3. restitution of conjugal rights
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Show answer
Answer: B. 2 and 3 only
Verdict
Correct statements: 2 and 3 → Option (b).
Statement by statement
Statement 1 – INCORRECT: The Rakhmabai case did not primarily revolve around women's right to gain education. While Rakhmabai did educate herself and later became a doctor, that was not the core legal issue of the 1884 case.
Statement 2 – CORRECT: Dr. Rakhmabai Bhikaji was instrumental in raising the age of consent for women in 1891. The controversies provoked by her case revolved around colonial law, marriage, conjugality, and the prospect of state intervention, which included debates around the age of consent.
Statement 3 – CORRECT: The case centred on restitution of conjugal rights. Rakhmabai's husband Dadaji Bhikaji filed a petition in the court of law after she refused to live with him. He sought restitution of conjugal rights — asking the court to compel Rakhmabai to live with him as his wife.