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In 1893, there occurred a split in the Arya Samaj on the issue(s) of: 1. Meat-eating vs vegetarianism 2. Caste system and widow remarriage 3. Shuddhi of converts 4. Anglicised vs Sanskrit-based education Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation
The Arya Samaj experienced a significant split in 1893 primarily due to ideological differences regarding education and lifestyle. One faction, known as the 'College Party' or 'Cultured Party' led by Lala Hansraj, advocated for modern, Western-style education through the Dayanand Anglo-Vedic (DAV) schools to meet professional needs [1]. The opposing 'Mahatma Party' or 'Vegetarian Party' led by Swami Shraddhanand (Lala Munshiram), insisted on a traditional Sanskrit-based curriculum following the ancient Gurukul system [1]. Additionally, a major dispute arose over dietary habits; the College Party viewed meat-eating as a matter of personal choice not prohibited by the Samaj's principles, whereas the Mahatma Party demanded strict adherence to vegetarianism [2]. While the Shuddhi movement and caste reforms were core tenets of the Samaj, they were not the primary causes of the 1893 split.
Sources
- [1] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 9: A General Survey of Socio-Cultural Reform Movements > Dayananda Saraswati and Arya Samaj > p. 223
- [2] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 19: Towards Modernity > Arya Samaj (1875) > p. 301