Who was the founder of Arya Samaj?

Appeared in: UPPSC 2023

Explanation

Swami Dayanand Saraswati founded the Arya Samaj in Bombay in 1875.
The core principle of the Arya Samaj was to re-establish the authority of the Vedas as the true and infallible source of knowledge.
Swami Dayanand's famous call was 'Go back to the Vedas'.
The movement was a potent force for social reform, advocating against idol worship, animal sacrifice, child marriage, and the caste system based on birth.
It actively promoted education for all, equal rights for women, and widow remarriage.

Option A: Baba Ram Chandra was a trade unionist and a leader of the peasant movement in Awadh (Oudh) during the 1920s. His work was focused on agrarian rights, not religious reform.
Option C: Swami Vivekananda was the chief disciple of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and the founder of the Ramakrishna Mission in 1897. His focus was on Vedanta philosophy and social service.
Option D: Swami Shraddhanand was a prominent and influential leader within the Arya Samaj, but he was a follower of Swami Dayanand, not the founder. He is best known for establishing the Gurukul Kangri University.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Indian Social Reform Movements as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the history of social reform movements provides context for the evolution of social structures, family norms, and attitudes towards issues like caste, women's rights, and education in India.
The Arya Samaj's efforts in promoting widow remarriage were a significant step in challenging orthodox customs and improving the status of women (SRC_22729).
These movements laid the groundwork for many of the social legislations that exist in modern India.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question from Indian history.
First, identify the key term in the question: 'Arya Samaj'.
Access your memory or knowledge base regarding major Indian social reform movements and their founders.
Evaluate each option. Associate Swami Dayanand with the Arya Samaj and the slogan 'Go back to the Vedas'.
Eliminate the other options by recalling their primary roles: Swami Vivekananda (Ramakrishna Mission), Baba Ram Chandra (peasant leader), and Swami Shraddhanand (a later leader of Arya Samaj, not the founder).

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Applied Sociology for Nurses TK Indrani pp. 164-166, 46-48

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