The earliest Prarthana Samaj in Andhra was established in 1878 by

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

APPSC Group 2 Prelims Official Paper 2 (Held On: 5 May 2019)

Answer 1

The correct answer is Veeresalingam.

Key Points

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.

Additional Information

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.