Question 58 from UPSC CSE 2020 - MODERN INDIA

Question

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:

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. 2 and 3 only

Strategy: The Rakhmabai case was a landmark primarily due to its challenge against the enforced return of a woman to her husband's house, which is central to the 'restitution of conjugal rights.' It also ignited debate on marital consent, particularly concerning young girls, focusing on the 'age of consent.' Rakhmabai's later achievements in women's education were not the direct subject matter of this specific legal case. Therefore, the key issues are restitution of conjugal rights and age of consent.

Key Info: ## The Rakhmabai Case: A Legal Landmark

The Rakhmabai case (Dadaji Bhikaji vs. Rakhmabai, 1884-1888) was one of colonial India's most publicized civil cases. It centered on Rakhmabai, who, having been married as a child to Dadaji Bhikaji, refused to move to her husband's home. This refusal challenged the prevailing legal doctrine of 'restitution of conjugal rights,' which granted husbands the right to claim their wives.

The case ignited significant debates about child marriage and marital consent, raising widespread awareness across India. Rakhmabai garnered support from influential reformers such as Behramji Malabari and Pandita Ramabai. It played a crucial role in the passage of the Age of Consent Act of 1891, which raised the legal minimum age for the consummation of marriage for girls.

While Rakhmabai later became an iconic figure for women's education and India's first practicing female doctor, these achievements, though inspiring, were not the core legal issues of this particular suit. The doctrine of restitution of conjugal rights, a British legal concept, mandated that a wife live with her husband. The societal reaction to the Rakhmabai case was a pivotal moment in nineteenth-century reform movements, underscoring the conflicts between tradition, law, and women's rights.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: 1 and 2 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: 1 and 3 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: 1, 2, and 3

In the context of Indian history, the Rakhmabai case of 1884 revolved around: Women's right to gain education Age of consent Restitution of conjugal rights Select the correct answer using the code given below:

In the context of Indian history, the Rakhmabai case of 1884 revolved around:

Women's right to gain education

Age of consent

Restitution of conjugal rights
Select the correct answer using the code given below: