samaj

Samaj is a term used in many Indian languages to denote society or community. Etymologically, it derives from Sanskrit samāja, formed from sam- “together” and jā “birth” or assembly, and it is used across languages such as Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali, and Nepali. In everyday language and in the social sciences, samaj can refer to the social structure of a people—its institutions, norms, and networks—as well as to a formal organization that aims to serve a community.

In addition to its generic meaning, samaj is commonly used in the names of voluntary, religious, charitable, and reform groups. These organizations may operate schools and charitable services, promote cultural activities, or advocate social reforms. The best-known example is Arya Samaj, a Hindu reform movement founded in 1875 by Dayananda Saraswati that emphasizes Vedic authority, education, and social improvement. Across the Indian subcontinent and among diaspora communities, many other samajs exist, ranging from local cultural associations to national-level welfare societies.

Because samaj denotes both a broad sense of society and specific associations, its precise meaning is context-dependent, varying with language, region, and organizational aim.