Which reform association was founded by Swami Dayanand Saraswati?

• A. Hindu Mahasabha
• B. Brahmo Samaj
• C. Arya Samaj
• D. Ram Rajya Parishad

Answer: (C)

The Arya Samaj was founded by Swami Dayanand Saraswati in 1875. This reform association aimed to promote values of Vedic traditions and Hindu society, emphasizing the importance of returning to the teachings of the Vedas and rejecting superstitions and social injustices such as caste discrimination. Swami Dayanand advocated for social reforms, women's rights, and education, attempting to create a more rational and egalitarian Hindu society.

In contrast, the Hindu Mahasabha was established later in 1915 to promote Hindu nationalism, while the Brahmo Samaj, founded by Raja Ram Mohan Roy in 1828, sought to reform Hinduism and eliminate practices like sati and child marriage. The Ram Rajya Parishad, founded by the prominent leader of the Indian independence movement, B.R. Ambedkar, aimed to establish a just society based on the principles of democracy and social equality. Each of these associations had different historical contexts and objectives, distinguishing them from the foundational goals of the Arya Samaj led by Swami Dayanand Saraswati.