Who Founded Arya Samaj? History and Principles

Born as Mool Shankar Tiwari in Gujarat, Swami Dayanand Saraswati was a profound scholar of the Vedas. He was deeply distressed by the corruption, casteism, and superstitions that had plagued Hindu society over the centuries. He firmly believed that the true, pure form of the religion was lost and needed to be revived.

The central motto given by Swami Dayanand was 'Go back to the Vedas'. He argued that the Vedas (the oldest Hindu scriptures) were the ultimate source of infallible truth. He fiercely opposed idol worship, animal sacrifice, child marriage, and the rigid birth-based caste system. Instead, he promoted a monotheistic approach (belief in one formless God), equal rights for women, and education for all castes.

The Arya Samaj was not just a religious movement; it was a powerful educational and nationalistic force. The organization established a massive network of schools and colleges known as DAV (Dayanand Anglo-Vedic) Schools across India, which combined modern English education with traditional Vedic values. Furthermore, the movement instilled a deep sense of pride in Indian culture, heavily influencing prominent freedom fighters like Lala Lajpat Rai and Bhagat Singh.