Prarthana Samaj was founded by?
VerifiedAnswer: Dadoba Pandurang
Explanation:
The Prarthana Samaj was founded by Dadoba Pandurang in 1867 in Bombay (now Mumbai). This religious and social reform movement played a crucial role in the Indian Renaissance period, focusing on bringing positive changes to Hindu society through rational thinking and social reforms.
Dadoba Pandurang, whose full name was Dadoba Pandurang Tarkhadkar, was deeply influenced by the Brahmo Samaj movement in Bengal. He wanted to create a similar organization in Maharashtra that would address the social and religious issues prevalent in the region. The name "Prarthana" literally means "prayer" in Sanskrit, reflecting the organization's emphasis on devotional worship and spiritual reform.
The movement gained significant momentum under the leadership of other prominent reformers like Justice Mahadev Govind Ranade and R.G. Bhandarkar, who joined later. However, it's important to remember that Dadoba Pandurang was the original founder who laid the foundation stone of this influential reform movement.
The Prarthana Samaj advocated for several progressive ideas including the abolition of child marriage, widow remarriage, women's education, and the elimination of caste discrimination. The organization promoted monotheism and discouraged idol worship, superstitions, and orthodox Hindu practices that were considered harmful to society's progress.
