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Arya Samaj

Arya Samaj, founded by Swami Dayanand Saraswati in 1875, aimed to promote Vedic knowledge and eradicate social evils like caste discrimination and child marriage. The movement emphasized education, established numerous institutions, and played a significant role in religious and political reforms, including the Shuddhi Movement for reconversion to Hinduism. Arya Samaj also contributed to the Indian independence movement and advocated for Hindi as a national language.

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19 views

Arya Samaj

Arya Samaj, founded by Swami Dayanand Saraswati in 1875, aimed to promote Vedic knowledge and eradicate social evils like caste discrimination and child marriage. The movement emphasized education, established numerous institutions, and played a significant role in religious and political reforms, including the Shuddhi Movement for reconversion to Hinduism. Arya Samaj also contributed to the Indian independence movement and advocated for Hindi as a national language.

Uploaded by

muskaanmanhas05
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1.2.

Arya Samaj

Arya Samaj was founded on April 10, 1875, in Bombay (now Mumbai) by Swami Dayanand
Saraswati. He was deeply influenced by the Vedas and sought to promote the ancient texts
as the ultimate source of knowledge and truth. He believed that the degeneration of Hindu
society was due to the abandonment of Vedic principles and the rise of idolatry,
superstitions, and rituals that had no basis in the Vedas.

Arya Samaj Mission

The mission of Arya Samaj can be summarised as the promotion of Vedic knowledge and
the eradication of social evils. The movement’s key objectives include:

Revival of Vedic Dharma: Arya Samaj emphasised the Vedas as the ultimate source of
truth, promoting a return to original Vedic practices that focused on monotheism, morality,
and social justice.

Social Reform: The movement aimed to eliminate social evils like caste discrimination,
child marriage, and untouchability, advocating for equality and justice for all, regardless
ofcaste, gender, or social status.

Education: Arya Samaj prioritised education as a tool for empowerment, establishing


many schools and colleges based on Vedic principles.

Religious Reform: The movement rejected idolatry, rituals, and superstitions not rooted in
the Vedas, promoting a rational and ethical approach to religion based on Vedic teachings.

Promotion of Hindi: Arya Samaj significantly contributed to the promotion of Hindi as a


national language and a medium of education and communication.

Arya Samaj Leaders

Swami Virajanand Dandeesha: he was the spiritual mentor of Swami Dayanand


Saraswati. A blind scholar, he strongly promoted Vedic education and Sanskrit grammar,
which profoundly influenced Dayanand’s beliefs. Swami Virajanand’s teachings inspired
Dayanand to find Arya Samaj.

Shri Shraddhanand: He was a key Arya Samaj leader influenced by Swami Dayanand. He
founded Gurukul Kangri University for Vedic education and was active in the Indian
independence movement. He was assassinated In 1926 for his efforts in promoting
religious reform and Hindu-Muslim unity.
Pandit Lekh Ram: H was known for promoting Vedic teachings and opposing religious
orthodoxy. He was assassinated in 1987 and he became a martyr for Vedic reform.

Contributions:

Arya Samaj has significantly contributed to Indian society in various fields, including
education, religion, and social reform. The movement's impact can be seen in the following
areas:

1. Education Reforms

One of the most notable contributions of Arya Samaj is its emphasis on education. The
movement established numerous schools, colleges, and universities across India,
promoting Vedic education and the study of Sanskrit.

The Dayanand Anglo Vedic (DAV) College Trust was established three years after Swami
Dayanand Saraswati’s death to promote his social and educational ideas. The first DAV
High School opened in Lahore in 1886, with Lala Hans Raj as headmaster.

Gurukul Kangri University was founded by Shri Shraddhanand in 1902 to offer an alternative
to British education and promote Vedic studies, science, and philosophy.

Arya Samaj emphasised education for women by creating schools for girls and advocating
for women’s education to empower them and enhance their social status.

2. Religious Reforms

Arya Samaj played a crucial role in promoting religious reform in India. The movement
opposed idolatry, rituals, and superstitions that had no basis in the Vedas and advocated
for a return to the Vedas’ original teachings. It also criticised later Hindu scriptures such as
Puranas.

The Shuddhi Movement

Arya Samaj launched the Shuddhi Movement to facilitate the reconversion of Hindus who
had embraced other religions, primarily Islam and Christianity, often due to social,
economic, or political pressures.

Through Shuddhi or “purification,” the movement aimed to restore these individuals to


Hinduism, fostering a sense of unity and belonging within the Hindu community. This
movement was seen as a response to the increased influence of missionaries and aimed to
counter conversions to Christianity by offering individuals to come back to their original
religion. The Shuddhi Movement also displayed commitment to a casteless society,
welcoming all Hindus.

Go back to the Vedas: It signifies a call to return to the original scriptures of Hinduism,
emphasizing the importance of Vedic teachings in spiritual and moral life.

3. Political & Social Reforms

Arya Samaj played a pivotal role in the Indian independence movement and in promoting
social reforms. The movement’s leaders were actively involved in the struggle for
independence and used Arya Samaj’s platform to mobilise support for the cause.

National Leaders: Influential leaders like Lala Lajpat Rai and Swami Shraddhanand were
inspired by Arya Samaj and actively participated in the Indian independence movement.
They used Arya Samaj’s platform to promote independence, social reforms, and support
for marginalised groups.

Swaraj: Swami Dayanand Saraswati believed Hindi should be the national language. In his
book Satyarth Prakash, he supported religious nationalism and first used the term "Swaraj"
in 1876, envisioning a free India from foreign domination.

Therefore, The Arya Samaj was both a reform movement and a means of defending
Indian culture during the 19th century.

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