The D.A.V. Movement began with the formation of Dayanand Anglo Vedic College Trust and Management Society in 1885, by socially-oriented people, with a view to achieve the long cherished goal of Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati who had realized that the salvation lay in educating the masses. Eradication of ignorance and illiteracy through spread of education was the keystone among the ten principles which Maharishi laid down for the guidance of humanity. Keeping this thing in view, the Society established its first institution, Dayanand Anglo Vedic High School at Lahore on 1 June 1886 in the memory of Maharishi Dayanand

Saraswati, with Lala Hans Raj (later known as Mahatma Hans Raj) as its Honorary Headmaster. Mahatma Hans Raj ji’s life has been a saga of dedicated service to the Dayanand Anglo Vedic College Trust and Management Society. At the young age of 22 he set a shining example of self-abnegation by offering his services in honorary capacity. Throughout his life, he served the society without any remuneration or gain with rare distinction, humility, dedication and missionary spirit. This is the same School which was revived here at Chandigarh for Classes VI-XII on 19 April 1955, now known as DAYANAND ANGLO VEDIC SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL (LAHORE), CHANDIGARH. From the Session 2006-2007 the School has opened admission to girl students as well and hence has become a co-educational institute. The School has a place of pride and prestige among the most leading educational institutions of the country.