Swami Dayanand Saraswati (1824-1883) was the founder of the Arya Samaj. It was founded by him at Bombay in 1875 A.D. A branch of Arya Samaj was established at Lahore in 1877 A.D.

Its role in the freedom movement. Arya Samaj not only worked for religious and social reforms but also played a great role in the freedom movement. Its contribution to independence movement may be studied as under:

1. Aroused feelings of nationalism: The forceful assertion of Swami Dayanand that the ancient Aryan race and the ancient Indian culture were the most superior in the world, created the feelings of nationalism and self-respect among the people.

2. Provided leaders to the National Movement: The prominent Arya Samaj leaders welcomed the establishment of the branches of the Congress in Punjab and joined them. Again, it was Arya Samaj which produced such prominent leaders as Lala Lajpat Rai, Sardar Ajit Singh and Shardhanand, who infused a burning desire for freedom in the hearts of the Punjabis. Bhai Parmanand and Lala Hardayal were prominent Arya Samajists, whereas the great revolutionary Sardar Bhagat Singh was a student of D.A.V. College, Lahore.

3. Role in the Non-Cooperation Movement: This institution took an active part in the Non-Cooperation Movement started by Gandhiji. It opened many schools and colleges and supported the Swadeshi Movement.

4. Suffered atrocities of the Government: On watching these activities of the Arya Samaj, the British attitude towards it hardened and the members of Arya Samaj were harassed. The members of Arya Samaj who were in government service were suspected and considered as untrustworthy. They were denied promotions in the services. Even then they firmly followed their -path.

5. Split in the Arya Samaj: In 1892 A.D., the Arya Samaj was divided into two parts — the College Party and the Gurukul Party. Lala Lajpat Rai and Mahatma Hans Raj were the leaders of the College Party. They were in favour of education in English literature and Western Sciences. As a result, the gulf between the English Government and the Arya Samaj was soon removed. Even then the Arya Samaj continued extending cooperation to the freedom fighters. The newspapers of the Punjab belonging to Arya Samaj remained in the forefront in the freedom movement.