Read the following passage and answer the question by choosing the correct option:
The central figure in this awakening was Raja Ram Mohan Roy, who is rightly regarded as the first great leader of modern India. Raja Ram Mohan Roy was moved by deep love for his people and country and worked hard all his life for their social, religious, intellectual and political regeneration. He was pained by the stagnation and corruption of contemporary Indian society which was at that time dominated by caste and convention. Popular religion was full of superstitions and was exploited by ignorant and corrupt priests. The upper classes were selfish and often sacrificed social interest to their own narrow interests. Raja Ram Mohan Roy possessed great love and respect for the traditional philosophic systems of the East; but, at the same time, he believed that modern culture alone would help regenerate Indian society. In particular, he wanted his countrymen to accept the rational and scientific approach and the principle of human dignity and social equality of all men and women. He also wanted the introduction of modern capitalism and industry in the country.
Raja Ram Mohan Roy represented a synthesis of the thought of East and West. He was a scholar who knew over a dozen languages including Sanskrit, Persian, Arabic, English, French, Latin, Greek and Hebrew. As a young man he had studied Sanskrit literature and Hindu philosophy at Varanasi and the Quran and Persian and Arabic literature at Patna. He was also well-acquainted with Jainism and other religious movements and sects of India.
Choose the word from the passage which is similar in meaning to the given word: REFORMATION:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → regeneration
- Reformation means changing something, such as a society or an institution, to make it better.
Example: The leader worked for the reformation of the prison system. - Regeneration means renewal, bringing new life and strength to something so that it improves. The passage uses it of Roy's work for the "social, religious, intellectual and political regeneration" of his people.
Example: The new factory brought economic regeneration to the old town.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: convention — Incorrect. Convention means an accepted custom or way of doing things. The passage says society was dominated by "caste and convention", the very things that needed reform.
Example: By convention, the bride's family hosts the wedding.
Option 2: traditional — Incorrect. Traditional is an adjective meaning following old customs; it describes things that stay the same, not change for the better.
Example: She wore a traditional saree at the festival.
Option 4: synthesis — Incorrect. Synthesis means the combining of different ideas or parts into one whole; Roy represented a "synthesis of the thought of East and West".
Example: Her music is a synthesis of Indian and Western styles.