19. In the context of Indian history, the Rakhmabai case of 1884 revolved around: (2020)

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: 

(a) 1 and 2 only 

(b) 2 and 3 only 

(c) 1 and 3 only

 (d) 1, 2 and 3

19. Answer: (b) Option (b) is correct: 

Dr. RakhmabaiBhikaji was a 19th century pioneer in the field of medicine and women’s rights. She was instrumental in raising the age of consent for women in 1891. She became India’s first practicing lady doctor after having studied in the London school of Medicine for Women in 1889. Rakhmabai who got married at 11-years of age to the 19-yearold DadajiBhikaji, sought a legal divorce, demanding ‘freedom’ from her non-consensual marriage and sought restitution of conjugal rights.

This led to a nation-wide debate over infant and non-consensual marriage. The legal and social controversies provoked by the case revolved round notions of colonial law, marriage and conjugality, and the prospect of state intervention. BehramjiMalabari and PanditaRamabai came to her defense and formed the RakhmabaiDefense Committee.