ROLE OF ARYA SAMAJ IN DALIT UPLIFTMENT: A CRITICAL STUDY (C . 1875-1947 AD)

Abstract

Nowadays major sociological concern relates to minorities, gender disparities and depressed classes. The Dalit issue has emerged as one of the major arena of research. It is in this regard it become significant to study the beginning of efforts for the Dalits emancipation. Arya Samaj appears to be the pioneer of such efforts so chosen for the following Endeavour. Arya Samaj was one of the earliest movement to take into account the question of untouchables, who later come to be known as the Dalits. Founded by Swami Dayanand Saraswati in 1875, the movement worked for the emancipation of the Dalits. But genuineness of these efforts come under question because of the circumstances under which the efforts were made. How much the Samaj was concerned with the Upliftment of the Samaj? There are questions that how much the Arya samaj wanted the Dalits to flourish and Why did Arya Samaj take the backstep when the aspirations of the Dalits rose further and they yearned for equality? The Aim of this paper is to trace the views of Swami Dayanand Saraswati on the Caste system. Paper also attempts to analyse critically the efforts of Arya Samaj in emancipation of the Dalits. The paper will examine the impact of the Arya Samaj in United Province of India . At the same time it also aims to study the Dalit response to these efforts and their own exertions for their emancipation