Module: | Jainulabdeen's Routine & Austerity
Q58: Consider the following statements regarding the colonial context of the title "Bahadur":
1. The title "Bahadur" was an ancient religious honor bestowed exclusively by the high priest of the Rameswaram Shiva temple.
2. It was a civil title bestowed by the British colonial administration, elevating his mother's family's social standing.
3. Despite this distinguished aristocratic link in his mother's lineage, Kalam's family lived a humble, middle-class life.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
2. It was a civil title bestowed by the British colonial administration, elevating his mother's family's social standing.
3. Despite this distinguished aristocratic link in his mother's lineage, Kalam's family lived a humble, middle-class life.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
✅ Correct Answer: B
🎯 Quick Answer:
Statements 2 and 3 are correct. The British bestowed the title, but the family remained middle-class.Structural Breakdown: Kalam juxtaposes an elite historical fact (a British-awarded aristocratic title in his maternal line) with his present reality (living in a simple, austere middle-class home). Historical/Related Context: Awards like Rao Bahadur or Khan Bahadur were common tools used by the British to secure loyalty among influential local families.
Kalam mentions this not to boast, but to accurately document his family's diverse socio-historical roots.
Causal Reasoning: Statement 1 is incorrect because "Bahadur" was a British administrative/military title, not a Hindu religious honor bestowed by the Shiva temple priest.