Concept:
• The 19th-century Indian Renaissance saw the emergence of several reformers who blended social activism with religious reinterpretation.
• Key themes included women's rights, caste reform, and the revitalization of ancient Indian philosophies to empower the modern populace.
Step 1: Analyze the philosophical clue: "Vedantic theory"
Among the options provided, Swami Vivekananda is uniquely characterized by his promotion of "Neo-Vedanta."
He reinterpreted the ancient Advaita Vedanta to emphasize practical spirituality and the divinity of all human beings.
Step 2: Examine the social reform activities
Vivekananda was vocal about the physical and moral degradation caused by social evils like child marriage.
He advocated for a system of education that would make women "strong and independent," enabling them to solve their own problems.
Step 3: Correlate social justice and religious reform
Vivekananda’s mission was to reform Hinduism by removing superstitious practices and "don't-touchism."
He famously equated the service of the poor and the downtrodden (social justice) with the service of God ("Daridra Narayana").