📌 Topic 04 of 6 · Chapter 13 · Economic Impact & Social Reforms
Arya Samaj & Other Reform Movements
Dayananda Saraswati, Arya Samaj (1875), Shuddhi movement. Ramakrishna Mission, Vivekananda, Theosophical Society.
🏛️ Arya Samaj (1875)
- Founded by Swami Dayananda Saraswati in 1875 in Bombay
- Motto: “Back to the Vedas”
- Headquarters: Lahore (later)
Key Reforms:
- Rejected idol worship, caste system, child marriage, polygamy
- Promoted women’s education and widow remarriage
- Shuddhi movement — reconversion of Hindus who had converted to other religions
- Promoted Hindi and Sanskrit as national languages
- Founded DAV (Dayananda Anglo-Vedic) schools and colleges — promoted modern education
- More aggressive than Brahmo Samaj — challenged Christian missionaries
Key Work:
- Satyarth Prakash (Light of Truth) — written in Hindi; criticised idol worship, caste, Islam, Christianity
- Became the foundational text of the Arya Samaj movement
⭐ Arya Samaj vs Brahmo Samaj: Both rejected idol worship and caste, but differed in approach. Brahmo Samaj was more influenced by Western liberalism and Christianity. Arya Samaj was more aggressive and nationalistic — “Back to the Vedas” was a call to return to ancient Indian tradition. Arya Samaj was more popular in Punjab and UP; Brahmo Samaj in Bengal.
🏛️ Ramakrishna Mission (1897)
- Founded by Swami Vivekananda in 1897 in memory of his guru Ramakrishna Paramahamsa
- Ramakrishna Paramahamsa (1836–1886) — mystic saint; “All religions lead to the same God”; worshipped at Dakshineswar temple
- Vivekananda’s famous speech at Parliament of World’s Religions, Chicago (September 11, 1893) — introduced Hinduism to the West
- Promoted Vedanta philosophy and service to humanity as worship of God
- Established schools, hospitals, and relief centres
- Vivekananda’s famous quote: “Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached”
🏛️ Other Reform Movements
| Movement/Person | Region | Key Reform |
|---|---|---|
| Prarthana Samaj (1867) | Maharashtra | Founded by Atmaram Pandurang; social reform; widow remarriage; influenced by Brahmo Samaj |
| Jyotiba Phule | Maharashtra | Satyashodhak Samaj (1873); anti-caste; women’s education; “Gulamgiri”; first school for girls (1848) |
| Theosophical Society | India (Madras/Adyar) | Founded by Madame Blavatsky and Colonel Olcott; promoted Indian philosophy; HQ at Adyar, Madras (1882) |
| Annie Besant | India | Theosophical Society president; Home Rule League (1916); promoted Indian culture |
| Widow Remarriage Act (1856) | All India | Passed by Lord Dalhousie; championed by Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar |
📝 Exam Tip:
• Arya Samaj = 1875 = Dayananda Saraswati = “Back to the Vedas” = Shuddhi movement
• Satyarth Prakash = Dayananda Saraswati = Hindi = foundational text
• Ramakrishna Mission = 1897 = Swami Vivekananda = Chicago speech (1893)
• Jyotiba Phule = Satyashodhak Samaj (1873) = Maharashtra = anti-caste
• Theosophical Society = Madame Blavatsky + Colonel Olcott = Adyar, Madras
• Arya Samaj = 1875 = Dayananda Saraswati = “Back to the Vedas” = Shuddhi movement
• Satyarth Prakash = Dayananda Saraswati = Hindi = foundational text
• Ramakrishna Mission = 1897 = Swami Vivekananda = Chicago speech (1893)
• Jyotiba Phule = Satyashodhak Samaj (1873) = Maharashtra = anti-caste
• Theosophical Society = Madame Blavatsky + Colonel Olcott = Adyar, Madras