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Phule, Narayana Guru, Veerasalingam | ISC Class 11 History

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HistoryISC Class 11 · Social Movements

The Struggle against Caste: Phule, Sree Narayana Guru and Veerasalingam (ISC Class 11 History)

Updated 17 October 2026 · Fact-checked

Jyotirao Phule (1827-1890) opened schools and founded the Satyashodhak Samaj (1873); Sree Narayana Guru (1856-1928) consecrated the Aruvippuram Shiva idol in 1888 and founded the SNDP Yogam in 1903; Kandukuri Veerasalingam (1848-1919) used journalism, girls' schools and widow remarriage to attack caste privilege and social evils.

Notice that each reformer used a different tool, school, temple or press, but all aimed at education and equality against caste.

Illustration drawn for QuestionBuddy.

Understand The Struggle against Caste: Phule, Sree Narayana Guru and Veerasalingam

Jyotirao Phule (1827-1890), Maharashtra. Born in the Mali caste. In 1848, with Savitribai, he opened a girls' school in Pune and later schools for children of the so-called untouchable castes. He argued that caste was a system of domination created by Brahmins and called for unity of Shudras and Ati-Shudras. Gulamgiri (1873) compared lower-caste condition with American slavery. The Satyashodhak Samaj (1873) worked for caste equality, performed ceremonies without Brahmin priests and spread education. He opposed child marriage, supported widow remarriage, opened a home for widows to give birth safely, and wrote on exploitation of cultivators.

Sree Narayana Guru (1856-1928), Kerala. Born in the Ezhava community, treated as polluting. In 1888 at Aruvippuram he consecrated a Shiva idol himself, challenging Brahmin monopoly. His message was "one caste, one religion, one God for humankind". He built temples open to all with schools attached. The SNDP Yogam (1903) organised Ezhavas for education, jobs and reform; he urged "enlighten through education, strengthen through organisation" and an end to costly ceremonies and alcohol.

Kandukuri Veerasalingam (1848-1919), Andhra. Called father of the Telugu renaissance. He started the journal Viveka Vardhini (1874), opened a girls' school (1874), organised widow remarriages from 1881 and set up a home for widows, criticised priestly hereditary claims and caste (associated with the Brahmo movement), wrote Rajasekhara Charitramu, regarded as the first Telugu novel, and founded the Hitakarini Samaj.

Common themes. Education, attack on caste privilege, use of both Indian traditions and modern ideas of equality, and organisations to carry on the work.

The Struggle against Caste: Phule, Sree Narayana Guru and Veerasalingam: key facts

Phule
  • 1827-1890
  • Girls' school 1848
  • Gulamgiri and Satyashodhak Samaj 1873
Narayana Guru
  • 1856-1928
  • Aruvippuram 1888
  • SNDP Yogam 1903
Veerasalingam
  • 1848-1919
  • Viveka Vardhini 1874
  • Widow remarriages from 1881
Methods
Phuleschools, society
Gurutemples, organisation
Veerasalingampress, remarriage

How to answer The Struggle against Caste: Phule, Sree Narayana Guru and Veerasalingam questions

Questions ask for contributions of one or more reformers (4 marks) or a comparison (8 marks).

  1. 1Give region, community and dates.
  2. 2List contributions with years.
  3. 3Link the contribution to the attack on caste.
  4. 4Close with significance and a comparison if asked.

The Struggle against Caste: Phule, Sree Narayana Guru and Veerasalingam in real life

The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

A school for all

Suppose a couple opens a school for girls and for children of castes barred from schools, and holds ceremonies without priests.

Which reformer's work does this recall?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Phule and Savitribai opened girls' and lower-caste schools.
  2. The Satyashodhak Samaj held ceremonies without Brahmin priests.

Answer: Jyotirao Phule.

Memory hook: School plus no priest.

Consecrating an idol

Suppose a man from a community barred from temples places an idol himself and invites everyone to worship.

Which event does this recall?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. The Aruvippuram consecration of 1888 by Sree Narayana Guru.
  2. It challenged the Brahmin monopoly on worship.

Answer: Aruvippuram, 1888.

Memory hook: A temple for all.

Tricks to remember The Struggle against Caste: Phule, Sree Narayana Guru and Veerasalingam

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

  • PGV

    Phule Pune, Guru Kerala, Veerasalingam Andhra.

    Use it when: Regions.

  • 73, 03, 74

    1873 Satyashodhak, 1903 SNDP, 1874 Viveka Vardhini.

    Use it when: Organisation and journal dates.

The Struggle against Caste: Phule, Sree Narayana Guru and Veerasalingam: solved examples

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: Reformer identification · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

Which reformer founded the Satyashodhak Samaj?
(a) Sree Narayana Guru
(b) Jyotirao Phule
(c) Veerasalingam
(d) Vidyasagar

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. 1873.

Answer: (b) Jyotirao Phule.

Example 2: Narayana Guru facts · 3 marks · Short answerBoard level

State where and when Sree Narayana Guru consecrated a Shiva idol and the slogan he gave.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Aruvippuram, 1888.
  2. He himself consecrated the idol.
  3. "One caste, one religion, one God for humankind."

Answer: Aruvippuram 1888; one caste, one religion, one God.

Example 3: Phule's contributions · 4 marks · Long answerHarder board level

Explain four contributions of Jyotirao Phule to the struggle against caste.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Opened girls' and lower-caste schools (from 1848).
  2. Wrote Gulamgiri comparing lower castes with slaves.
  3. Founded the Satyashodhak Samaj (1873).
  4. Supported widow remarriage and opposed child marriage.

Answer: Schools, Gulamgiri, Satyashodhak Samaj and women's reform.

Example 4: Compare reformers · 4 marks · Long answerHarder board level

Compare the methods of Sree Narayana Guru and Veerasalingam in reforming society.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Guru: temple consecration at Aruvippuram, open temples with schools.
  2. Guru: SNDP Yogam for organisation.
  3. Veerasalingam: the press (Viveka Vardhini) and a girls' school.
  4. Veerasalingam: widow remarriages from 1881 and a home for widows.

Answer: Guru used temples and an organisation; Veerasalingam used the press, school and widow remarriage.

Example 5: Life spans · 5 marks · Case-basedHOTS / competency

Case: Three reformers lived 1827-1890, 1856-1928 and 1848-1919. (a) Find each life span in years. (b) Name the reformer who lived longest. (c) State the common aim of all three.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. (a) Phule: 1890 - 1827 = 63; Guru: 1928 - 1856 = 72; Veerasalingam: 1919 - 1848 = 71.
  2. (b) Sree Narayana Guru (72 years).
  3. (c) To fight caste privilege and social evils through education and organisation.

Answer: (a) 63, 72, 71 years (b) Sree Narayana Guru (c) end caste privilege through education and organisation.

Where students lose marks in The Struggle against Caste: Phule, Sree Narayana Guru and Veerasalingam

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

  • Mistake: Misdating the Satyashodhak Samaj

    Years confused with other bodies.

    Do this: Satyashodhak Samaj 1873; SNDP Yogam 1903.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

  • Mistake: Writing only names, not contributions

    Answer lacks detail.

    Do this: List contributions with years for each reformer.

    Usually costs: 2 marks.

  • Mistake: Linking Veerasalingam to Maharashtra

    Region error.

    Do this: Veerasalingam was from Andhra (Rajahmundry).

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

Exam tips

  • Give dates for each reformer.
  • Use the slogan of Sree Narayana Guru.
  • Compare using method and region.
  • End with significance.

Practice questions on The Struggle against Caste: Phule, Sree Narayana Guru and Veerasalingam

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

  1. Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

    The SNDP Yogam was founded in:
    (a) 1873
    (b) 1888
    (c) 1903
    (d) 1874

    Hint

    Twentieth century.

    Answer

    (c) 1903.

  2. Q2 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    Why was the Aruvippuram act of 1888 symbolically important?

    Hint

    Brahmin monopoly.

    Answer

    A man of the Ezhava community consecrated a Shiva idol himself, challenging the rule that only Brahmins could do so and opening worship to all.

  3. Q3 · 4 marks · Long answerHarder board level

    Explain the role of Veerasalingam as a journalist and writer.

    Hint

    Viveka Vardhini and novel.

    Answer

    He started Viveka Vardhini (1874) to attack corruption, superstition and social evils and wrote simple Telugu prose; his novel Rajasekhara Charitramu is regarded as the first Telugu novel.

  4. Q4 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    How did Phule link caste and gender reform?

    Hint

    Girls' school; widows' home.

    Answer

    He opened a girls' school with Savitribai, opposed child marriage, supported widow remarriage and opened a home where widows could give birth safely, as well as schools for lower castes.

  5. Q5 · 4 marks · Case-basedHOTS / competency

    Case: A critic says that reformers only changed laws and not society. (a) Give one example of a lasting change by Guru. (b) Give one by Phule. (c) State what remained difficult.

    Hint

    Temples and schools.

    Answer

    (a) Temples open to all with schools, and the SNDP Yogam. (b) Schools for girls and lower castes and the Satyashodhak Samaj. (c) Changing deep social attitudes took long.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

  1. 1.Phule's book?Show answer

    Gulamgiri.

  2. 2.Guru's slogan?Show answer

    One caste, one religion, one God for humankind.

  3. 3.Veerasalingam's journal?Show answer

    Viveka Vardhini.

  4. 4.Where is Aruvippuram?Show answer

    Kerala.

  5. 5.Who was Savitribai?Show answer

    Phule's wife and co-worker in education.

The Struggle against Caste: Phule, Sree Narayana Guru and Veerasalingam: frequently asked questions

Was Phule an upper-caste reformer?

No, he was born in the Mali caste.

What did SNDP stand for?

Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam.

Is Rajasekhara Charitramu a novel?

Yes, regarded as the first Telugu novel.