Who among the following was the founder of the Arya Samaj?

Correct option is A

The Arya Samaj was founded by Swami Dayanand Saraswati on 10th April 1875 in Bombay (now Mumbai). The organization aimed to reform Hindu society by eliminating social evils like caste discrimination, child marriage, and idolatry. It emphasized the Vedas as the ultimate source of knowledge and promoted values like education, gender equality, and social service. Dayanand Saraswati propagated the slogan "Back to the Vedas", advocating for a return to the ancient wisdom of the scriptures. The Arya Samaj also played a significant role in India's independence movement and social reform efforts.

Key Points:

● It aimed to purify Hinduism by removing social and religious corruption.
● Dayanand Saraswati emphasized Vedic teachings and opposed practices like idol worship and rituals.
● It promoted education for all, including women.
● The Arya Samaj was instrumental in movements like Shuddhi (reconversion) and Swadeshi.

Additional Knowledge:

• (b) Raja Ram Mohan Roy: He was the founder of the Brahmo Samaj in 1828, which sought to reform Hindu practices but is distinct from the Arya Samaj.
• (c) Swami Vivekanand: He was a key figure in the Ramakrishna Mission and is known for his contributions to spreading Hindu philosophy globally.
• (d) Jyotiba Phule: He was a social reformer who founded the Satyashodhak Samaj in 1873 to uplift oppressed classes and promote equality.