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Dayanada
and Arya Samaj 9
little effect unless it was delivered in the language of
the people. He went to Bombay, where shortly
afterwards his sect, following the example of the
Brahmo Samaj but with a better genius of
organisation proceeded to take root in the social life
of India. On April 7, 1875 he founded at Bombay
his first Arya Samaj, or Association of the Aryans of
India, the pure Indians,
the descendants of the old
conquering-race of the
Indus and the Ganges,
(These italic words express that the author is
influenced by the speculated historical elements
which were imposed upon our history by foreigners.
Swamiji did not really take this view of Arya in any
of his writings—Editor) and it was exactly in those
districts that it took root most strongly. From 1877,
the year when its principles were definitely laid down
at Lahore, to 1883, Dayananda spread a close
network over Northern India. Rajputana, Gujrat, the
United Provinces of Agra and Oudh, and above all
in the Punjab which remained his chosen land,
practically the whole of India was affected. The only
province where his influence failed to make itself
felt was Madras. (He could not have the time and
chance to preach his gospel in Madras—Editor).