His principal forte was social and religious reform. He relied upon legislation to do away with social ills and work unceasingly for the eradication of child marriage and the purdah system. To encourage consideration of social problems on a national scale, he inaugurated the Indian National Social Conference, which for many years met for its annual session alongside the Indian National Congress.

Correct Option (C)

Mahadev Govind Ranadewas a prominent social reformer, economist, and judge who significantly contributed to social and religious reform in India. He strongly advocated forlegislative measuresto address social issues. His efforts were particularly focused on theeradication of child marriageand theabolition of the purdah system. To foster a national discourse on social problems, he founded theIndian National Social Conference, which held its annual sessions concurrently with the Indian National Congress for many years.

Incorrect Options

• Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar (1) was a leading figure in the social reform movement, primarily known for his work on widow remarriage and women's education, particularly in Bengal. While a reformer, the passage's specific emphasis on the Indian National Social Conference does not align with his primary contributions.
• Behramji Merwanji Malabari (2) was a social reformer and journalist who campaigned against child marriage and for the age of consent. However, he was not the founder of the Indian National Social Conference, which is a key identifier in the passage.
• B.R. Ambedkar (4) was a principal architect of the Indian Constitution and a champion of Dalit rights and the annihilation of the caste system. His primary focus was not on the eradication of child marriage or the purdah system, nor did he found the Indian National Social Conference.