What are the contribution of Arya Samaj in the social and cultural awakening of India in the 19th century ?

Contribution of Arya Samaj in the Social and Cultural awakening of India in the 19th century :

• Swami Dayanand Saraswati founded the Arya Samaj in 1875.  Arya Samaj repudiated the authority of Brahmans and condemned a number of religious rites and idol worship.

• 

  image source: bharatmatamandir.in/files/2008/05/281-779×1024.jpg

• Arya Samaj opposed the existing caste system as it was based on heredity.
• It advocated equal rights for men and women.
• A large number of schools and colleges were started by Arya Samaj, both for boys and girls all over the country.
• Arya Samaj laid stress on the study of Vedas.
• Thus, Arya Samaj aimed at reforming Hindu­ism. It attacked many vices and malpractices preva­lent in the Indian society.