Write a short note on the Arya Samaj.
The Arya Samaj was founded in the year 1875 by Swami Dayanand Saraswati. Dayanand Sarawswati was committed to fighting against the evils of child marriage and caste system. He also fought against the concept of idol worship and promoted the recognition of equal rights for men and women in all spheres of life. Based on his ideological tenets, several Dayanand Anglo-Vedic schools were set up by his followers. The curriculum taught in these schools was an amalgamation of traditional Indian teachings and Western scientific knowledge.