Home > Indian History > History of India > Hitaishini Ganga Dharma Sabha
Hitaishini Ganga Dharma Sabha
Hitaishini Ganga Dharma Sabha was founded in Hardwar for the benefit of the cow, social order, and the holy Ganges.

Share this Article:

Hitaishini Ganga Dharma Sabha, Indian Renaissance, British IndiaIn 1886, during a meeting in Hardwar, the Gau Varnashrama Hitaishini Ganga Dharma Sabha was formed. The English translation of the Sabha was made as the Religious Association for the Benefit of the Cow, Social Order, and the Holy Ganges. The urgent issue that motivated this organization depended on the boxes set up along the banks of the Ganges by the Arya Samaj. After the pilgrims had bathed in the river, they dropped donations into these holders.

This new society very soon elected officers, established its own organization, and encouraged the priests of Hardwar to end this practice that allowed their enemies to profit from orthodox rituals. Then the groups started a discussion related to the respect for the holy Ganga (i.e. the Ganges River), cows, Brahman priests, and places of pilgrimage. There was no disagreement to the fact that Hindus were divided and so thus there was a necessity to attempt to create a greater degree of unity, and that they must work for the protection of sanatana dharma. At the close of this first meeting, the new society had built an organizational configuration with officials, a headquarters in Hardwar, and a set of published rules. The Sabha very soon articulated the view of Brahman priests as to the type of social and cultural tasks facing them and their associates, but little else was accomplished.

After the Hardwar meeting, Din Dayalu traveled widely organizing Sanatana Dharma Sabhas, goshalaas (homes for cattle), and Sanskrit schools. He toured Punjab, the Gangetic plain, and went as far east as Calcutta. During this tenure, he and others spoke of finding an organization with broader goals, one that would symbolize all Hindus. At a meeting held in April 1887 in the Princely State of Kapurthala, a small group of Din Dayalu`s associates attached to him came together and planned a new organization, the Bharat Dharma Mahamandala, with the purpose of bringing together all leaders of the orthodox Hindu community. A welcoming committee was thus formed with Pandit Din Dayalu as its chairman. It met in Hardwar on 4 May 1887, distributed letters and circulars thus declaring the new society, and the date of their first meeting in 1887. They invited individuals to attend their meeting and suggested that anyone with a question concerning the Vedas, Shastras, Puranas, or other Hindu scripture should submit it in writing so that the assembled priests could answer it.

The first gathering of the Mahamandala was set for the Hindu holy day, Ganga Dashami. During this time, Hardwar was filled with pilgrims; practices like ritual bathing, numerous speeches and the passing of resolutions could be seen. These focused onto protect varndshramadharma, the traditional pattern of religious duties as expressed in the caste system, on the necessity for religious preaching, for Sanatana Dharma Sabhas, and for the defence of Hinduism from critics both within the community and outside of it. Din Dayalu spoke on the requirement for Sanskrit schools and for Hindi to be the language of education and administration. The Mahamandala eventually agreed to send out updeshaks or the paid missionaries to propagate its goals and act to tie this organization with local Sanatana Sabhas. This first meeting ended with great enthusiasm and rehabilitated the hope that orthodoxy could protect itself in an era of lethargy and immorality. Members of the ruling Hindu aristocracy, landowners, priests, heads of Hindu societies and also the theosophists who were represented by Colonel Olcott carried out the Mahamandala.

The Mahamandala held its second meeting in 1889, at the Shri Govinda Deva temple in Brindaban. This time the proclamation was written in Hindi according to a decision taken at the first meeting to use Hindi for all Mahamandala proceedings. The notice declared that before their first gathering there were fewer than 100 Hindu religious organizations in India, but that in the last two years their number had risen to more than 200. Thus the Mahamandalas carried out their proclamations of the agenda and kept the motive of Hitaishini Ganga Dharma Sabha alive for several years.


Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in History of India


History of Uttar Pradesh
The state was the heart of Mahabharata war and the history of Uttar Pradesh is very much the history of India. The place finds its mentions in Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.
History Of Archaeology In India
History of archaeology in India contributes a lot to define the past history and the social life of India.
Mughal Architecture during Babur
Mughal Architecture during Babur is of adequate significance in Mughal history, as the emperor introduced Mughal architecture in India, during 16th century.
Princely State of Patdi
Princely State of Patdi or Patri was incorporated as a part of the Baroda Agency, which was a sub division of Western India States Agency.
Architecture during Sayyid and Lodi Dynasty
Architectures during the Sayyid and Lodi dynasty were mainly the tombs and monuments for the dead rulers. It were carefully designed and meticulously constructed.
Brahmanical Sources of Ancient History
Brahmanical Sources of ancient history are contained in the Vedas and they constitute one of the most important literary sources of information about ancient India.
Female Education In British India
The over brimming enthusiasm among zealous Hindu reformers welcomed female education in British India.
Revenue System of Mauryan Empire
Revenue system of Mauryan Empire can be divided into eight categories. The principal revenue of the state was the land revenue, taxes from traders, artisans and professional taxes were also collected.
Mughal Architecture During Jahangir
Mughal architecture during Jahangir`s period was relative dull in comparison to that of Akbar dynasty.
Princely State of Satlasna
Princely State of Satlasna was amongst the former native states of India that was appointed as one of the Indian princely states during the early 19th century.
Coins of Chola Empire
Coins of Chola Empire were issued in gold, silver and copper and carried the Chola emblem.
Social Life during the Pala Period
Religious toleration and simple living were the characteristics of social life during the Pala period.
Coins of the Chalukya Dynasty
Coins of the Chalukya Dynasty was reintroduced in the South India after a brief break of coinage less period of nearly three century. Chalukyas issued coins only in gold and they exhibit a brilliant artistic skill of the engraver.
Costumes of Indus Valley Civilisation
Costumes of Indus valley Civilization have been considered as the basis for Indian clothes. Sophisticated ornaments and make up were used during that age.
Development of Science under Gupta Empire
Development of Science under Gupta Empire was progressive and it had attained considerable perfection. Mathematics, astronomy, medicine, chemistry, physics and metallurgy were the most prominent of the sciences at that time.
Culture under Delhi Sultanate
Culture under Delhi Sultanate had enduring aspects to it. It included the society, the religious condition, literature and art and architecture of that period.
Princely State of Hapa
Princely State of Hapa was incorporated as a part of the Baroda Agency, which was under the administrative control of the Western India States Agency.
Economy Under Chola Dynasty
Economy under Chola dynasty was strong and well developed. The economic life of the people of the Chola Kingdom was well balanced with their social life.
Coins of Khilji Dynasty
Coins of Khilji Dynasty had an influential feature that was followed by the other dynasties.
Religion During Mauryan Dynasty
Religion during Mauryan dynasty became a considerable episode in Indian history with an esteemed lineage of rulers.