Decoding Arya Samaj’s Role in Social Awakening in Haryana Region

Abstract

The foundation of the Arya Samaj by Dayanand Saraswati (1824-83) in Bombay on April 14, 1875, was a remarkable development in the fight against social evils spawned by irrational religious beliefs and the exploitative, oppressive policies of foreign rulers. In the patriarchal society, women were relegated to a very pathetic and inferior position. The child marriage, female infanticide, sati partha, purdah pratha, illiteracy among girls, denial of education and equal rights, domestic violence and the dowry system etc. were some of the major issues of that time. Arya Samaj made efforts to uplift the status of the down trodden. It took interest in the social upliftment of the lower and depressed classes in various manners. The Arya Samaj played a vital role in removing backwardness in the agrarian community of Haryana specially the agriculturist.