Swami Dayanand Saraswati founded the Arya Samaj that undertook the task of reforming The Hindu religion in North India. In this context, consider the following statements: A) He was the first to advocate 'Swadeshi' to boycott foreign goods B) His orthodox viewpoint promoted the purdah system and the practice of Sati C) He believed in the infallibility of Vedas Which of the statement given above is/are correct?
The Arya Samaj Movement, revivalist in form though not in content, was the result of a reaction to Western influences.
Its founder, Dayananda Saraswati, or Mulshankar (1824-1883) was born in the old Morvi state in Gujarat in a brahmin family.
He wandered as an ascetic for fifteen years (1845-60) in search of the truth.
The first Arya Samaj unit was formally set up by him at Bombay in 1875 and later the headquarters of the Samaj was established at Lahore.
Arya Samaj advocated for Swadeshi and Boycott of foreign goods. Hence option A is correct.
Dayananda’s views were published in his famous work, Satyarth Prakash (The True Exposition).
His vision of India included a classless and casteless society, a united India (religiously, socially, and nationally), and an India free from foreign rule, with Aryan religion being the common religion of all.
He took inspiration from the Vedas and considered them to be ‘India’s Rock of Ages’, the infallible, and the true original seed of Hinduism. Hence option C is correct.
He gave the slogan “Back to the Vedas”.
Dayananda’s slogan of ‘Back to the Vedas’ was a call for a revival of Vedic learning and Vedic purity of religion and not a revival of Vedic times.
He accepted modernity and displayed a patriotic attitude to national problems.
The Arya Samaj fixed the minimum marriageable age at twenty-five years for boys and sixteen years for girls.
Swami Dayananda once lamented the Hindu race as “the children of children”.
The Arya Samaj’s social ideals comprise, among others, the fatherhood of God and brotherhood of man, equality of the sexes, absolute justice, and fair play between man and man and nation and nation.
Intercaste marriages and widow remarriages were also encouraged. Hence option B is incorrect.
Dayananda also met other reformers of the time Keshab Chandra Sen, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Ranade, Deshmukh, etc.
The Arya Samaj came to be known for the social service it rendered in times of calamities such as earthquakes, famine, and floods. It also took initiative in promoting education.