Who was the founder of Prarthana Samaj?

Answer: (3) Atmaram Pandurang

Explanation:

Dr. Atmaram Pandurang founded the Prarthana Samaj in 1867 in Bombay (Mumbai). It was a major socio-religious reform movement of 19th-century India. The movement was established with the support of Mahadev Govind Ranade and R.G. Bhandarkar. 

• • It promoted monotheism, rational worship, and rejected idolatry while remaining rooted in Hindu traditions. Prarthana Samaj focused on important social reforms such as the removal of untouchability, women's education, widow upliftment, prohibition of child marriage, and promotion of basic education. 
  • It later spread to southern India through Kandukuri Veeresalingam. The movement became an important part of the Indian socio-religious reform movements and contributed to social justice, equality, and educational reforms.

• Important Leaders Associated with Prarthana Samaj

• Dr. Atmaram Pandurang- Founder of the movement.

• Mahadev Govind Ranade- Social reformer and supporter of women's rights and education.

• R.G. Bhandarkar- Historian and Sanskrit scholar who strengthened the movement's reform ideology.

• Kandukuri Veeresalingam- Popularised Prarthana Samaj in southern India.

About Other Options:

(a) Swami Dayanand Saraswati: Swami Dayanand Saraswati founded the Arya Samaj on 7 April 1875 in Bombay. He promoted Vedic teachings, opposed social evils, advocated universalism, and inspired educational institutions such as the Dayanand Anglo Vedic (DAV) Schools.

(b) Raja Ram Mohan Roy: Raja Ram Mohan Roy founded the Brahmo Samaj in 1828. He worked for the abolition of Sati, promoted women's education, supported monotheism, opposed idol worship, and played a leading role in the Indian Renaissance.

(d) Swami Vivekananda: Swami Vivekananda was the foremost disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhamsa. He founded the Ramakrishna Order in 1897 at Belur. He emphasized Vedanta, harmony of religions, selfless service, and represented Hinduism at the 1893 World's Parliament of Religions in Chicago.