Arya Samaj sought to reshape Hindu society by returning to what it regarded as the ethical core of the Vedas, and this vision expressed itself in a wide range of social reforms. Central to its programme was a strong critique of hereditary caste hierarchy and untouchability, coupled with an affirmation of social equality and human dignity. Birth-based distinctions were rejected in favour of merit and conduct, and inter-caste marriages and broader social integration were encouraged. This re-reading of Vedic tradition became a powerful instrument for challenging entrenched social barriers and for opening religious and educational spaces to those previously excluded.

A parallel emphasis fell on the upliftment and dignity of women. Arya Samaj promoted women’s education and literacy, supported their right to study the Vedas, and encouraged equal regard for daughters and sons. It championed widow remarriage and opposed child marriage, seeking to reshape family life around mutual respect and moral responsibility rather than rigid custom. In this way, the movement attempted to align domestic and social relations with what it understood as Vedic ideals of justice and compassion.

The movement also undertook a thorough critique of religious and social practices it viewed as non-Vedic or irrational. Idol worship, elaborate ritualism, and the intermediary dominance of priests were rejected in favour of a more direct relationship between the individual and the divine, grounded in Vedic monotheism. Superstitions, blind rituals, and wasteful ceremonies were opposed, while ethical conduct and spiritual study were elevated as the true marks of religious life. This reform of practice was not merely doctrinal; it was meant to free individuals from fear, exploitation, and needless social burdens.

Education functioned as a key instrument for all these reforms. Arya Samaj established institutions such as the Dayanand Anglo-Vedic schools and colleges, where Sanskrit and Vedic studies were combined with modern subjects and scientific thinking. These institutions aimed to make learning accessible across social classes, including those historically marginalized. Through this educational network, the movement sought to cultivate disciplined, rational, and morally grounded individuals capable of serving society.

Finally, Arya Samaj linked its social and religious reforms to a broader sense of cultural and spiritual self-respect. It fostered pride in ancient Vedic heritage, encouraged indigenous social and economic practices, and supported the shuddhi movement, which sought to bring those who had left the Hindu fold back into a reformed Vedic community. In all these efforts, the movement attempted to purify and renew social life, not by abandoning tradition, but by reinterpreting it in the light of what it regarded as the original, universal principles of the Vedas.