Which of the following statements correctly describe the social base of the Arya Samaj in British India?

Introduction / Context:
The Arya Samaj, founded by Swami Dayanand Saraswati in 1875, was a Hindu reform movement that played an active role in religious and social reform as well as in the growth of nationalism. Its followers were concentrated in specific regions and social groups. Understanding where its influence was strongest and what kind of social base it had is important for interpreting its role in colonial Indian society.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Statement 1: The Arya Samaj was located mainly in Punjab and western Uttar Pradesh.
• Statement 2: Its social base mainly comprised the trading castes and urban middle classes.
• Statement 3: Its social base was much more limited than that of the Brahmo Samaj.
• The question asks which of these statements are correct.

Concept / Approach:
The Arya Samaj developed a strong presence particularly in North Western India. Punjab and parts of western Uttar Pradesh became its core areas, where it influenced education, social reform and nationalist politics. Its supporters included urban middle classes and trading communities, who were receptive to its calls for social reform and Vedic revival. Compared with the Brahmo Samaj, which was mostly confined to Bengal and some urban centres, the Arya Samaj actually had a broader and more popular base in its core regions. Thus Statements 1 and 2 are broadly correct, while Statement 3 is misleading.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Histories of modern India often emphasise that the Arya Samaj was especially influential in Punjab, where it ran schools, colleges and relief work and later contributed to nationalist mobilisation. They also point out that its membership was drawn heavily from urban, commercial and educated castes. In contrast, the Brahmo Samaj is usually noted for its narrower, upper class urban base in Bengal. This comparative picture supports Statements 1 and 2 and contradicts Statement 3.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• 2 and 3 only: Drops the accurate regional statement (1) and includes Statement 3, which underestimates the Arya Samaj's spread in its core areas.
• 1 only: Ignores the correct description of its social composition given in Statement 2.
• 1, 2 and 3: Accepts Statement 3, which is misleading when comparing Arya Samaj with Brahmo Samaj.
• 3 only: Keeps only the statement that is least accurate, making this option clearly incorrect.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse the primarily Bengal centred Brahmo Samaj with the more North Western based Arya Samaj, or assume that all reform movements had the same limited elite base. Another common error is to think that because the Arya Samaj operated strongly in only a few provinces, its base must have been smaller than that of the Brahmo Samaj, without considering intensity of influence. Remember that within Punjab and western Uttar Pradesh, Arya Samaj networks were extensive and deeply rooted.

Final Answer:
Correct answer: 1 and 2 only.