'Noble Society') is a monotheistic Indian Hindu reform movement that promotes values and practices based on the belief in the infallible authority of the Vedas.

The term "arya" refers to an individual who possesses virtuous attributes and noble characteristics, whereas "samaj" denotes a social group or organized community.

When he traveled to Calcutta Swami Dayanand had come into close and extended contact with Raj Narayan Bose, Debendranath Tagore etc.

Despite this difference of opinion, however, it seems that the members of the Brahmo Samaj and Swami Dayanand parted on good terms, the former having publicly praised the latter’s visit to Calcutta in several journals and the latter having taken inspiration from the former’s activity in the social sphere.

[10] Shraddhanand led the Shuddhi movement that aimed to bring Hindus who had converted to other religions back to Hinduism.

[12] In the early 1900s, the Samaj (or organizations inspired by it such as Jat Pat Todak Mandal) campaigned against caste discrimination.

[14] The samaj also established chapters in British colonies having Indian population such as South Africa, Fiji, Mauritius, Suriname, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago.

[15] Prominent Indian Nationalists such as Lala Lajpat Rai belonged to Arya Samaj and were active in its campaigning.

[18] In the 1930s, when the Hindu Nationalist group, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh grew in prominence in Northern India, they found support from the Arya Samaj of Punjab.

According to Malkani, the Arya Samaj created a "new pride" among the Hindu Sindhis by opening gymnasia and Sanskrit pathshalas in the 1930s.

The Samaj started losing support when Mahatma Gandhi returned to India in 1915 because many activist joined his movement.

[26] In 1921, during a rebellion by the Muslim Moplah community of Malabar Indian newspapers reported that several Hindus were forcibly converted to Islam.

The Arya Samaj extended its efforts to the region to reconvert these people back to Hinduism through Shuddhi ceremonies.

Although a social and religious organization, the Samaj activities assumed a great political role in resisting the government of the Nizam during the 1930s.

The difference was marked during the period immediately following the independence of India and the time of the Punjabi Suba movement (demand for a Punjabi-speaking state).

[35][better source needed] Arya Samaj schools and temples are found in almost all major cities and as well as in rural areas (especially in the North) of India.

For instance, they believe epics like the Ramayana and the Mahabharata are legends of historical figures, and reject them as a reference to supreme beings and avatars.

The priest can be called an "acharya", "shastri" or "pandit" depending upon his scholarly status and local reputation.

A special havan is done for the same.The Arya Samaj version of the Hindu festival Diwali is typified by the celebration in Suriname.

[51] Holi is celebrated as the conclusion of winter and the start of spring to sow the land and hope for a good harvest.

The early Arya Samajist in 19th century Lahore adapted the festival to include prayers and havan but avoid the intoxication, and obscenities associated with traditional celebrations.