Why this matters now
Dayanand is tested on the Arya Samaj, the Shuddhi movement, Satyarth Prakash and the slogan “Back to the Vedas”.
Arya Samaj (1875)
Born Mool Shankar Tiwari in Gujarat, Dayanand founded the Arya Samaj at Bombay on 10 April 1875 with the slogan “Back to the Vedas”. He rejected idol worship, polytheism, child marriage and untouchability; supported widow remarriage and women’s education; and held the Vedas to be infallible.
Shuddhi movement and DAV schools
The Arya Samaj launched the Shuddhi (purification) movement — reconverting Indians who had earlier embraced Islam or Christianity. A network of Dayanand Anglo-Vedic (DAV) schools and colleges spread modern education combined with Vedic values. Lahore became a stronghold; later, Lala Hansraj drove the DAV expansion.
Satyarth Prakash and legacy
His magnum opus “Satyarth Prakash” (Light of Truth, 1875) laid down Arya Samaj doctrine. Dayanand made Hindi the medium of his preaching, which boosted the language’s nationalist standing. He inspired Lala Lajpat Rai, Bhagat Singh, Madame Cama and other freedom fighters. He died at Ajmer in 1883.
UPSC angle
Know Dayanand — born Mool Shankar (Gujarat), Arya Samaj (Bombay, 10 April 1875), “Back to the Vedas”, Satyarth Prakash, Shuddhi movement, DAV schools/colleges, rejected idolatry, caste rigidities, child marriage; supported widow remarriage and women’s education.
Frequently asked questions
Who founded the Arya Samaj?
Swami Dayanand Saraswati — in Bombay on 10 April 1875.
What is the Shuddhi movement?
An Arya Samaj movement to reconvert (purify) Indians who had earlier embraced other religions.
What is “Satyarth Prakash”?
Dayanand’s magnum opus (1875) — the doctrinal book of the Arya Samaj.
What was Dayanand’s reform slogan?
“Back to the Vedas” — a call to restore Vedic monotheism and rationality.