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Early Life

• Born: 12 February 1824, in Tankara, Gujarat.
• Birth Name: Mool Shankar Tiwari.
• Family: Belonged to a Brahmin family, father was Karshanji Lalji Tiwari.
• Influenced by: Vedantic texts, Upanishads, and Yoga.
• Turning point: Witnessing a rat eating prasad in a temple, which made him question idol worship.

Philosophy and Contributions

• Founded Arya Samaj (1875): A Hindu reform movement based on Vedic principles.
• Back to Vedas: He promoted returning to Vedic teachings and rejected superstitions.
• Opposed Social Evils:
  • Idol worship
  • Caste discrimination
  • Child marriage
  • Sati system

Religious and Social Reforms

• Satyarth Prakash (1875): His famous book, meaning The Light of Truth.
• Education Reforms: Advocated Vedic education and founded Gurukuls.
• Women’s Rights: Supported widow remarriage and women’s education.
• Nationalism: His ideas inspired leaders like Lala Lajpat Rai and Swami Shraddhanand.
• Hindu Revivalism: Opposed foreign influence on Hinduism and emphasized self-reliance.

Death

• Died: 30 October 1883, due to poisoning by a cook in Jodhpur.
• His last words: “O Lord! Let my country awake to true knowledge.”

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Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. When was Swami Dayanand Saraswati born?

a) 1824
b) 1835
c) 1788
d) 1857
→ Answer: a) 1824

2. Which organization was founded by Swami Dayanand Saraswati?

a) Ramakrishna Mission
b) Arya Samaj
c) Theosophical Society
d) Brahmo Samaj
→ Answer: b) Arya Samaj

3. What was the original name of Swami Dayanand Saraswati?

a) Mool Shankar
b) Ranjit Shankar
c) Keshav Chandra
d) Swami Vivekananda
→ Answer: a) Mool Shankar

4. Which of the following books was written by Swami Dayanand Saraswati?

a) Gita Rahasya
b) Satyarth Prakash
c) Anand Math
d) Hind Swaraj
→ Answer: b) Satyarth Prakash

5. What was Swami Dayanand Saraswati’s famous slogan?

a) Go Back to the Vedas
b) Jai Hind
c) Swaraj is my Birthright
d) Do or Die
→ Answer: a) Go Back to the Vedas

6. Who among the following was inspired by Swami Dayanand Saraswati?

a) Lala Lajpat Rai
b) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
c) Mahatma Gandhi
d) Rabindranath Tagore
→ Answer: a) Lala Lajpat Rai

7. Where did Swami Dayanand Saraswati die?

a) Ahmedabad
b) Jodhpur
c) Varanasi
d) Haridwar
→ Answer: b) Jodhpur

8. What was the main goal of Arya Samaj?

a) Promote idol worship
b) Spread Western education
c) Revive Vedic traditions
d) Support caste-based discrimination
→ Answer: c) Revive Vedic traditions

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Short Answer Questions

Q1: What is Swami Dayanand Saraswati famous for?

A: He was a Hindu reformer who founded Arya Samaj and promoted Vedic teachings while opposing idol worship, caste discrimination, and other social evils.

Q2: What was Swami Dayanand Saraswati’s most famous book?

A: Satyarth Prakash (The Light of Truth).

Q3: What was the famous slogan given by Swami Dayanand Saraswati?

A: Go Back to the Vedas.

Q4: Name any two social reforms introduced by Swami Dayanand Saraswati.

A: 1) Opposition to idol worship
2) Promotion of women’s education

Q5: Who was influenced by Swami Dayanand Saraswati’s ideas?

A: Leaders like Lala Lajpat Rai and Swami Shraddhanand.

Q6: When and how did Swami Dayanand Saraswati die?

A: He died on 30 October 1883 after being poisoned by a cook in Jodhpur.

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This note covers all essential facts needed for competitive exams. Let me know if you need more details! 🚀