The social reform movement that challenged the traditional caste hierarchy in Kerala was known as:

Kerala Renaissance
Brahmo Samaj
Prathyaksha Raksha Daiva Sabha
Arya Samaj

The correct answer is: C) Prathyaksha Raksha Daiva Sabha.

The Prathyaksha Raksha Daiva Sabha was a social reform movement that challenged the traditional caste hierarchy in Kerala. It was founded in 1872 by a group of Ezhavas, a lower caste in Kerala. The Sabha’s goal was to improve the social and economic conditions of the Ezhavas and to fight for their rights.

The Sabha’s activities included education, social welfare, and agitation for political rights. It also played a role in the development of Malayalam literature and culture. The Sabha was a major force in the social and political transformation of Kerala in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The other options are incorrect for the following reasons:

  • A) Kerala Renaissance is a term used to describe the social and cultural changes that took place in Kerala in the 19th and 20th centuries. It was a time of great intellectual and artistic ferment, and saw the rise of many new ideas and movements. However, it was not a social reform movement that challenged the traditional caste hierarchy.
  • B) Brahmo Samaj was a Hindu reform movement founded in 1828 by Raja Ram Mohan Roy. It aimed to reform Hinduism and to promote social equality. However, it did not have a significant presence in Kerala.
  • D) Arya Samaj was a Hindu reform movement founded in 1875 by Swami Dayanand Saraswati. It aimed to reform Hinduism and to promote social equality. However, it did not have a significant presence in Kerala.