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HISTORY Project Term 2

History project for Grade 8

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Vandana Singh
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25 views

HISTORY Project Term 2

History project for Grade 8

Uploaded by

Vandana Singh
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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HISTORY PROJECT

INTRODUCTION

Swami Dayanand Saraswati was born on February 12th, 1824 in


Tankara, Gujarat in a Brahmin family. His parents, Lalji Tiwari
and Yashodhabai were orthodox Brahmin. Swami Dayanand
Saraswati was a self-taught man and a great leader of India
leaving a significant impact on the Indian society.

He was a sanyasi (ascetic) from boyhood and a


scholar. Dayanand Saraswati left his home and
spent nearly twenty-five years, from 1845 to 1869,
as a wandering ascetic, searching for religious
truth.He believed in the infallible authority of
the Vedas. Dayananda advocated the doctrine
of Karma and Reincarnation. He emphasized
the Vedic ideals of brahmacharya, including
celibacy and devotion to God.
Dayananda's contributions were his opposition
to untouchability, promotion of the equal
rights for women and his commentary on the
Vedas from Vedic Sanskrit in Sanskrit as well as
in Hindi. He was one of the many reformers of
that time

Social Reforms
Dayananda Saraswati founded the Arya Samaj in Bombay on
April 7, 1875. It was a Hindu reform movement that meant “noble
society.” The Hindu Samaj’s goal was to shift the Hindu religion
away from false notions. The Samaj’s motto was “Krinvanto
Vishvam Aryam,” which meant “Make this world honorable.”

The Arya Samaj’s main goal is


to do good in the world, which
includes promoting everyone’s
bodily, spiritual, and social
well-being. The Arya Samaj
attempted to not only
spiritually reorganize the
Indian mentality, but also to
eliminate numerous social
difficulties. Widow remarriage
and women’s education were
two of the most important. In
the 1880s, the Samaj started
efforts to help widows remarry. Maharishi Dayananda also
emphasized the need for female education and spoke out
against child marriage. He declared that an educated man
needs an educated wife for society as a whole.

He campaigned against gender inequality and tried to improve


women’s rights. He was a staunch opponent of child marriages,
the ‘Purdah’ system, and the practice of ‘Sati,’ among other
things. He demonstrated that women and men should have
equal rights by citing Vedic principles. Members of the Arya
Samaj engaged in intercaste weddings and interdining. He was
against the caste system and the Brahmins’ social dominance.
He also opposed the Brahmins’ authority over Vedic literature
and argued for the human right to learn the Vedas, irrespective
of age, religion, or race. Untouchability was also something
Dayananda denounced. He reinterpreted the Varna system
described in the Veda. It was created for societal occupational
purposes.

The conversion of the Hindus to the Christianity or Islam. He


appeared as a saviour of Hinduism. He took steps to return
back the Hindus into the fold of Hinduism those who had ,
accepted Christianity or Islam due to adverse circumstances.
Thus, he initiated a movement which was very famous as the
‘Suddhi Movement’. By this he brought back the converted
Hindus from Christianity or Islam to the fold of Hinduism again.

This ‘Suddhi Movement’ of Dayanand mainly checked the


attitudes of Christian Fathers who were converting the poorer
section of the Hindus to their religion.

Impact of Social reforms

Opposition to Idol Worship: Dayanand Saraswati strongly


opposed idol worship, emphasizing the monotheistic nature of
Hinduism. His critique of idol worship aimed at promoting a
more philosophical and rational understanding of the religion.

​ Promotion of Vedic Values: Saraswati emphasized a return


to the Vedic principles and values as the basis for a more
just and equitable society. He advocated for the study and
promotion of the Vedas to guide social conduct.
​
​ Advocacy for Education: Dayanand Saraswati stressed the
importance of education for all, irrespective of caste or
gender. He believed that education was crucial for the
empowerment of individuals and the overall progress of
society.
​
​ Opposition to Caste System: Saraswati vehemently
opposed the caste system, advocating for its abolition. He
believed in the equality of all individuals, irrespective of
their caste, and worked towards creating a more
egalitarian society.
​
​ Support for Women's Rights: Dayanand Saraswati
advocated for women's education and their active
participation in society. He believed in the upliftment of
women and their rights, challenging prevailing norms that
restricted women's roles.
​
​ Stress on Social Harmony: Saraswati's teachings
emphasized social harmony and unity. He discouraged
divisive practices and sought to create a society where
people lived together in peace and cooperation.
​
​ Rejection of Untouchability: Dayanand Saraswati rejected
the concept of untouchability and worked towards
eliminating discrimination based on caste. His efforts
contributed to the broader movement against
untouchability in Indian society.

While Dayanand Saraswati's social reforms faced resistance


from some quarters, his ideas had a lasting impact on the
social and religious landscape of India. The Arya Samaj,
founded by him, continues to be influential in promoting these
principles, and his legacy is acknowledged in discussions on
social reform in India.
Conclusion

Dayananda Saraswati, born on February 12, 1824, was an Indian


philosopher and social leader who founded the Arya Samaj in
1875, a Hindu reform movement. He strongly opposed idol
worship, advocated for the return to Vedic principles, and
stressed the importance of education for all, regardless of caste
or gender. Dayananda vehemently opposed the caste system,
supported women's rights, and rejected untouchability. His
social reforms faced resistance but had a lasting impact on
India, with the Arya Samaj continuing to promote these
principles.
Bibliography
https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/

https://www.google.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/

https://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/

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