Explain the role of Arya Samaj in emancipation of women.

 Arya Samaj, (Sanskrit: “Society of Nobles”) vigorous reform movement of modern Hinduism, founded in 1875 by DayanandaSarasvati, whose aim was to reestablish the Vedas, the earliest Hindu scriptures, as revealed truth. He rejected all later accretions to the Vedas as degenerate but, in his own interpretation, included much postVedic thought.The AryaSamaj has always had its largest following in western and northern India. It is organized in local samajas (“societies”) that send representatives to provincial samajas and to an all-India samaja. Each local samaja elects its own officers in a democratic manner.

The Arya Samaj opposes worship of murtis (images), animal sacrifice, shraddha (rituals on behalf of ancestors), basing caste upon birth rather than upon merit, untouchability, child marriage, pilgrimages, priestly craft, and temple offerings. It upholds the infallibility of the Vedas, the doctrines of karma (the accumulated effect of past deeds) and samsara (the process of death and rebirth), the sanctity of the cow, the importance of the samskaras (individual sacraments), the efficacy of Vedic oblations to the fire and programs of social reform. It has worked to further female education and intercaste marriage; has built missions, orphanages, and homes for widows; has established a network of schools and colleges; and has undertaken famine relief and medical work. From its beginning it was an important factor in the growth of Indian nationalism. It has been criticized, however, as overly dogmatic and militant and as having exhibited an aggressive intolerance toward both Christianity and Islam.

During the Vedic period, women were greatly honoured and enjoyed equal status with men. They were active participants in all fields of life. During the post-Vedic period, women started losing their status in society. Manu, the progenitor of Hindu race did not treat women at par with men so far as the Vedic rituals were concerned. The women were not eligible for the study of Vedas, nor for use of mantras in performing sacraments except marriage. He stated that being tender, women should be protected by father in childhood, by her husband in young age and by the sons in old age. She lost her identity after marriage. During the Moghul rule, women suffered further degradation. Since polygamy was a norm with the Muslims, they picked up any woman they wanted and kept her in their “harems”. Indian women started using “Purdah”–a veil to protect themselves. Parents started marrying their daughters at an early age. Some began to consider a girl as misery and a burden which must be shielded and protected from the eyes of intruders and needed extra care. On the other hand, a boy did not need any such protection. Thus, a vicious circle started in which the women were at the receiving end. All this culminated into new evils such as Child marriage, Sati, Jauhar and restriction on girl education.

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