HISTORY OF ARYA SAMAJ NAIROBI, Kenya and East Africa

Dr. R. K. SAINI

Arya Samaj Nairobi has a very renowned history and very rich legacy and as we commemorate and celebrate our 121″ Anniversary, I want to recall some of our significant milestones.

The seeds of our Samaj were sowed when in the 1890’s, a new wave of educated Punjabi pioneers came to Kenya. Among them were Lalchand Sharma, Mahashya Badrinath Arya, Mathura Dass Kapila, Inder Singh Kent, Baisakhi Ram Bhardwaj and Fakir Chand amongst many more. Most of these pioneers came from around Ludhiana in Punjab and from Gujrat, and all were followers of the intellectual Vedic revival movement called Arya Samaj.

In Kenya they were initially all involved with the construction of the Railway which took most of their time. In the evenings there was no provision for social, moral or spiritual welfare of the workforce. Most of them said their own Silent Prayers.

In 1898, in the bush 150 miles from Mombasa at the Rail Head, Fakir Chand felt an overwhelming desire to perform havan. So, he made a havan kund by digging a square hole in the ground and packed it with kindling of dried-up twigs. With ghee from the cook and some dried-up wild flower as samagri a few Hindus gathered around the Holy fire and performed havan. This havan 126 years ago was the first Havan performed on the soil of Africa and that is when our Arya Samaj movement’s seeds in East Africa were sowed.

Reference to this havan was found by Dr. R.K. Saini while reading the book – Victoria’s Tin Dragon-A Railway that built a Nation by Satya V. Sood’ which has many references to Arya Samaj in Kenya. Piecing together the various other references on the Rail Head near which the havan was performed, the mileage from Mombasa, information where the worker’s camps were, Dr. Sunil Vinayak and Mr. Kul Bhakoo together with input from historians and the Kenya Railways identified the site where the havan took place to be close to the Tsavo Railway Station next to Man Eaters Camp on the banks of the Tsavo River, just one km from the main Nairobi- Mombasa highway.

This is also the site where the man eating lions (Tsavo Man-Eaters) ate about 40 of the construction workers on the Kenya-Uganda Railway and where Lieutenant-Colonel John Henry Patterson eventually killed the lions (currently displayed in the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, Illinois, USA). All these historic places are within a few hundred meters from where our historic havan took place (see pictures below). Thus our Arya Samaj early history is closely linked to construction of the Kenya-Uganda Railway.

These Pioneers of ours were also ardent preachers of the Samaj and were sure that the once the railway was completed the teachings of Swami Dayanand would conquer the Heart and minds of thousands of Indians as they made East Africa their home. On 5th July 1903, 45 Arya Samaj men got together at the home of Jai Gopal on River Road and established Arya Samaj Nairobi with Inder Singh Kent as the first Chairman and ushered in the Golden Era of our Samaj.

Immediately after the establishment of Arya Samaj the members started planning for our permanent temples and schools. Outside India we were the first Samaj to be established in the world.

 The first building ever built by Arya Samaj Nairobi was corrugated iron sheet building on timber frame. The building was built in two months and opened on 6th November 1904 and was located where the present Barclays bank is next to our present Vedic House. This timber and iron sheet development was later expanded to establish the first Girls Arya Primary School in 1910. The Second building. Arya Samaj Bhavan, was of stone and built between 1912 and 1916 with a large congregation hall that could accommodate up to 600 persons. This was located where the current Vedic House is on Mama Nagina Street.

In the field of education, we were the first amongst the Asian Communities to establish schools not only for ourselves but also the local population.

Some milestones in our field of education include:

1910 Arya Kanya Pathshala (Girls School) established at the current premises of Vedic House, this school was moved to Ngara in 1937 and later called Arya Primary School. Initially, the school was started at the residence of Mathura Dass who even paid the teachers from his own pocket. From there the school moved briefly to the residence of Wazir Chand before it was moved to Arya Samaj Bhavan adjacent to Barclays Bank (current Vedic House).

1918 Arya Stri Samaj established at Vedic House.

1921 Government took over plot where Barclays Bank is now after its lease lapsed and gave it Barclays bank.

1922 School for local children established.

1928 Sharaddhanand Braham Acharya Ashram established in memory of Swami Sharaddhanand after his assination

1937 Arya Kanya Pathshala (Arya Girls Secondary School) moved to Ngara after Arya Samaj Nairobi bought 1.5 acre of plot in Ngara in 1936.

1950 1943- Arya Stri Samaj started Nursey School in one room at the Primary school in Nairobi

1956 Arya Girls Senior School, Parklands established. Separated from Primary School and now known as Parklands Arya Girls High School.

1955 the colonial government gave notice that they did not want any religious organization or school in central business district.

1957 Puri Bhavan was established to cater for all Arya Samaj religious and social activities.

1960 Our forefathers also very early realized that the Samaj needed a source of income and thus Vedic House was built – that was the foresight our father had.

1964 Dayanand home established at Sharaddhanand Braham Acharya Ashram. This was run by Arya Samaj Nairobi

1968 Arya Boys Secondary School started and in 1969-Arya Boys shifted to its present Site, Opposite Arya Vedic Schools, Ngara

1969 Arya Samaj Mandir South “C” was established and remained the centre of all our religious activities till 1983.

Other historical milestones:

1965 Mohinder Pal Hall for sporting activities was opened.

1967 Arya Samaj Juja Road started at request of the then preacher Gian Chand Shastri and inaugurated by Mahamat Anand Swami ji.

1971 Arya Samaj free Dispensary was started in 1971.

1983 Maharshi Dayanand Bhavan was completed in 1983 and opened in 1984

1998 Our Yajanshalla which is one of the most magnificent ones in the world was completed under my chairmanship.

1964 Dayanand Home for orphans was established at Shardhanand Brahmacharya Ashram, After 13 years this ashram in 1977 was converted to Sharadhand Arya Nursery School.

In order to promote the welfare of our members, both physical and socially and to enhance involvement of our members in Samaj activities, Arya Samaj, established Arya Veer Dal in 1928, Arya Sports Club in 1920 which later in 1955 transformed into Aryan Club, Arya Veerangana Dal in 1947 to promote wellness of women, Vagvardhini Sabha (Aryan Young Women’s Association) was established in 1946 and Aryan Youth League in 1980. All these have very important milestones in our history according to our principles.

In 1922 Arya Pratinidhi Sabha Eastern Africa was formed to coordinate activities of all samajes in East Africa. Initially, Arya Samaj Nairobi and Mombasa were affiliated with Arya Pratinidhi Sabha Punjab.

While talking of our history, we must pay tribute to the industrialist and philanthropist Seth Nanji Kalidas Metha who donated a lot of land to Arya Samaj.

 The success of Arya Samaj and its growing influence was not always smooth sailing we faced lots of hazards.

 In 1915, the British Army surrounded Arya Samaj Mombasa while prayers were ongoing and arrested all participants and took them to Voi Prison. Most were later released, some were fined while the Secretary the Legendary B.R. Sharma ji was charged with sedition, found guilty and sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment.

In the same year (1915) Arya Samaj Nairobi was raided and our religious books confiscated and president D. D. Puri harassed.

Thank God, in 1919, all prisoners were released and deportation orders rescinded.

Our legendary member, Mr. G. L. Vidyarthi, actively championed for independence for Kenya and published the weekly journal the colonial times from 1932 onwards. He even published the first Swahili newspapers. He was detained three times. In 1955 he was arrested from Arya Girla Schools, Ngara which he served as a key member of the Management Committee and also charged for sedition.

Today, as we celebrate 121 years of outstanding and unique services of Arya Samaj Samaj and its rich history and legacy, we honour and commend the sacrifice, generosity and pioneering spirit of our founders and the contribution of each generation since who have guided, shaped and sustained the Samaj in its growth. In fact, it’s our founder’s dedication, hope and struggles that created this wonderful institution and gave us this rich legacy. We salute them all for their vision and commitment and extend our heartiest congratulations to all those, past and present, who have guided and served the institute thus far.

The 121st anniversary of Arya Samaj Nairobi is not only a moment of reflection but also a call to action for future generations. It reminds us of the timeless relevance of Vedic teachings and the power of collective effort in transforming society for the better. Let us continue to uphold the ideals of Arya Samaj-truth, compassion, equality, and service as we move forward into the future.

 Let us always remember the prime objective of the Arya Samaj is to promote the welfare of the whole world, i.e., to achieve physical, spiritual, and social prosperity for all. Our conduct towards all should be guided by love, righteousness and justice. We should dispel Avidya (ignorance) and promote Vidya (knowledge). The major aim of Arya Samaj is to rekindle the values and spread the message of the ancient Vedas,

As we move forward we have many challenges but together we can surmount them. I plead with you all, to find some time to serve our renowned institution. Let us today rekindle the spirit and zeal of our founders and with vision, optimism, commitment and leadership take our illustrious institution to greater heights.

Outside India we were the first Samaj to be established in the world. Our resources and infrastructure are unmatched. Let us build on our strong foundation and let us make our Samaj- a society united, integrated, harmonious, living and vibrant community, mentally, culturally and spiritually.

As we celebrate the legacy and 200th birth anniversary of our Founder Swami Dayanand let’s remember he preached universalism. Our Arya Samaj principles are applicable to the whole world and much needed in today’s world. Let us spread the value of the Vedas far and wide and to shape futures and provide service not only to our members but humanity at large.

Felicitations and greetings to all on this 121 Foundation Day of Arya Samaj Nairobi and 200 Bicentennial Birth Anniversary of Swamiji May Arya Samaj Nairobi continue to flourish and inspire many more generations to come. Ved ki joyti jalthi rahe, aur hamare Arya Samaj amar rahe Krinvanto Vishvam Aryam