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

1. Women’s rights to gain education
2. Age of consent
3. Restitution of conjugal rights

Select the correct answer using the given code below-

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• Rukhmabai Raut, one of the first female doctors to practice medicine in British India, staunchly opposed child marriage. Rukhmabai was married off at the age of 11 to Dadaji Bhikaji, who was 19.
• She refused to stay with Bhikaji and his family at his house. This led to the Dadaji Bhikaji vs Rukhmabai case, 1885. When Bhikaji filed for “restitution of conjugal rights,” Rukhmabai argued that the marriage was not binding since she had not consented to it at the age of 11. After many hearings, the court affirmed the marriage, and in March 1887, Rukhmabai was ordered to live with her husband or face a six-month jail term. Rukhmabai wrote to Queen Victoria about her situation. The Queen overruled the court’s verdict and dissolved the marriage. In July 1888, Dadaji accepted monetary compensation of two thousand rupees to dissolve the marriage. The Rukhmabai case led to the enactment of the Age of Consent Act in 1891.

Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only; Difficulty Level: Hard