Prarthana samaj

Correct Answer - Option 2 : Veeresalingam The correct answer is Pundit Sivanatha Sastry. • Veeresalingam Pantulu was a British Indian social reformer and writer who lived in the Madras Presidency. • He is often regarded as the father of the Telugu Renaissance. • He encouraged Prarthana Samaj in south India. • The earliest Prarthana Samaj in Andhra was established in 1878 by Veeresalingam. • He was a pioneering social reformer who advocated for women's education and widow remarriage (which was not supported by society during his time). • He was also an outspoken opponent of underage marriage and the dowry system. In 1874, he established a school in Dowlaiswaram. • In 1887, he established the 'Brahmo Mandir' temple in Andhra Pradesh, as well as the 'Hithakarini School' in 1908. • He is often considered the Raja Rammohan Roy of Andhra. • Atmaram Pandurang founded Prarthana Samaj on March 31, 1867. • Prarthana Samaj was founded in Bombay and went on to have significant influence throughout western and southern India. • Prarthana Samaj became very popular after M G Ranade joined the organisation. • Mokkapati Subbarayu, the Diwan of Pithapuram Sansthan, rendered several favours for the people of Pithapuram. • His encouragement was the main reason for all the charitable deeds of the Peethikapuradhis at that time.

Activities of the Prarthana Samaj include study groups, the support of missionaries, a journal, night schools for working people, free libraries, women’s and student associations, and an orphanage. Its members were instrumental in the organization of other important social-reform movements that arose at the turn of the century, including the Depressed Classes Mission Society of India and the National Social Conference. Like that of the Brahmo Samaj and the

The Brahmo Samaj found its echo in Maharashtra. Following Rammohan’s ideas, the Paramhansa Sabha was founded in 1849. It aimed at eradicating social evils on the same footing what the Brahmo Samaj was doing. Prarthana Samaj was established in 1867. Not only followers of different sects congregated and prayed one God, the Creator but also they sincerely wanted social reforms. Their doctrine was to work for mankind and they believed in ‘service’ not in ‘prayer’. Like the members of the Brahmo Samaj, the followers of Prarthana Samaj aimed at social reforms. They condemned caste system and preached equality of man. For the upliftment of women, they wanted to impart higher education to women; further, they emphasized on the principle of increasing the age of marriage for both males and females. They also advocated widow remarriage. R. G. Bhandarkar, Mahadev Govinda Ranade and N. G. Chandravarkar were prominent leaders of the Prarthana Samaj.