Acts and Reforms in British India — SSC & RRB Notes · Chapter 9
8. HINDU WIDOWS' REMARRIAGE ACT, 1856
8. HINDU WIDOWS' REMARRIAGE ACT, 1856
Also called the Widow Remarriage Act, 1856.
Passed by Governor-General Lord Canning; driven largely by the efforts of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar.
Legalized the remarriage of Hindu widows and declared children from such remarriages legitimate.
A widow remarrying would forfeit rights to inheritance/property from her deceased husband under this Act (unless customs stated otherwise) — a limitation of the Act.
Key Facts
Year: 1856; Governor-General: Lord Canning; key reformer: Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
On what you just read, from the live question bank. 🔒 Answers and solutions are shown to registered students (free). अध्याय पढ़ने के बाद अभ्यास करें।
1.The law that permitted widows to remarry (Hindu Widows' Remarriage Act) was passed in the year: (RRB NTPC CBT-I (04/01/2021) Shift 2)
2.When was the Hindu Widow Remarriage Act passed? (RPF SI 2018 (19/12/2018) Shift 3)
3.In which of the following years was Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar born, who is remembered for his efforts in widow remarriage and the abolition of polygamy in Hindu society? (RRB NTPC (UG) CBT-I (28/08/2025) Shift 1)
4.In which among the following years was Hindu widow remarriage declared legal in India?
5.Who among the social reformers following founded the Widow Remarriage Association in 1861? (RPF SI CBT-I 2024 (12/12/2024) Shift 1)
6.Which reformer is known for his efforts to promote widow remarriage and women’s education in Bengal? (RRB NTPC (UG) CBT-I (04/09/2025) Shift 1)
7.Who among the following social reformers of Bengal earnestly fought for widow remarriages and girl education? (RPF SI CBT-I 2024 (13/12/2024) Shift 3)
8.Who among the following passed the widow remarriage Act in India? (RRB NTPC CBT-I (27/01/2021) Shift 1)
9.Which law permitted widow remarriage in India? (RRB NTPC Graduate Level CBT-I (21/06/2025) Shift 2)
10.In order to advocate for widow remarriage in 1852, the weekly letter 'Satya Prakash' was published in Gujarati language by whom? (RPF Constable 2018 (15/02/2019))