Arya Samaj was founded by Swami Dayananda Saraswati in 1875. Swami Dayananda Saraswati, born as Mul Shankar Tiwari, was a prominent Hindu reformer who sought to bring about social and religious reforms in Indian society.
Swami Dayananda Saraswati was born in 1824 in Gujarat, India. He studied the Vedas and various philosophical and religious texts from an early age. Through his studies, he became critical of many prevalent social and religious practices, which he believed had deviated from the original teachings of the Vedas.
Motivated by his vision of reviving and restoring the true essence of Hinduism, Swami Dayananda Saraswati founded the Arya Samaj. The primary purpose of the Arya Samaj was to reform and rejuvenate Hindu society based on the principles of the Vedas.
Swami Dayananda Saraswati believed that the Vedas contained divine knowledge and were the ultimate authority in matters of religion and morality. He advocated for a return to the Vedic teachings and the rejection of practices that he considered to be corruptions or deviations from the original Vedic tradition. Some of the key principles emphasized by Swami Dayananda Saraswati and the Arya Samaj include monotheism, the rejection of idol worship, social equality, women's education and empowerment, and the promotion of moral values.
Swami Dayananda Saraswati was also influenced by the socio-political environment of the time. He lived during a period of British colonial rule in India, and he saw the need for a reawakening of Indian society and culture. He believed that by promoting Vedic teachings, social reforms, and a spirit of nationalistic pride, India could regain its glory and independence.
Through the establishment of the Arya Samaj, Swami Dayananda Saraswati aimed to create a society of noble individuals (Arya) who would work towards social and religious upliftment. He sought to eradicate social evils such as caste discrimination, untouchability, child marriage, and the dowry system.
He also emphasized the importance of education, particularly Vedic education, to empower individuals and bring about positive change in society.
Overall, Swami Dayananda Saraswati founded the Arya Samaj with the intention of reforming and revitalizing Hindu society, promoting the principles of the Vedas, and working towards the upliftment of individuals and the betterment of society as a whole.