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Social Reformers

Jyotiba Phule was a 19th century social reformer from Maharashtra who fought against caste discrimination and the oppression of lower castes. He established one of India's first schools for girls in 1848 and opened more schools to educate women and lower castes. Phule also formed the Satyashodhak Samaj to work for the upliftment of oppressed classes and attain equal rights regardless of caste or religion. He was a pioneer of women's education and the eradication of untouchability in India.

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203 views7 pages

Social Reformers

Jyotiba Phule was a 19th century social reformer from Maharashtra who fought against caste discrimination and the oppression of lower castes. He established one of India's first schools for girls in 1848 and opened more schools to educate women and lower castes. Phule also formed the Satyashodhak Samaj to work for the upliftment of oppressed classes and attain equal rights regardless of caste or religion. He was a pioneer of women's education and the eradication of untouchability in India.

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SOCIAL

REFORMERS
BY:
B.KRUTHIKA
VIII B
ROLL NO:2
JYOTIBA PHULE
Jyotirao Govindrao Phule (11 April 1827 – 28 November 1890) was an Indian social
activist, businessman, anti-caste social reformer and writer from Maharashtra. His work
extended to many fields, including eradication of untouchability and the caste system
and for his efforts in educating women and oppressed caste people. He and his wife,
Savitribai Phule, were pioneers of women's education in India. Phule started his first
school for girls in 1848 in Pune at Tatyasaheb Bhide's residence. He, along with his
followers, formed the Satyashodhak Samaj (Society of Truth Seekers) to attain equal
rights for people from lower castes. People from all religions and castes could become
a part of this association which worked for the upliftment of the oppressed classes.
Phule is regarded as an important figure in the social reform movement in Maharashtra.
PHOTOGRAPH
BIO-SKETCH
Jyotirao Phule was a social reformer, thinker and social activist. He was
born in Katgun, Satara District, Maharashtra. Amongst the “low-caste”
leaders, Jyotirao Phule was one of the most vocal leaders. He was
educated in a school established by the Christian Missionaries.Jyotirao
Phule was born in Poona (Now Pune) in 1827 to a family that
belonged to the Mali caste. The Malis traditionally worked as fruit and
vegetable growers: in the four-fold varna system of caste hierarchy,
they were placed within the Shudras. Phule was named after God
Jyotiba.
JYOTIBA PHULE’S CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS INDIA
Jyotiba Phule initiatives included eradicating untouchability and the caste system, as well as educating women
and caste members who were being exploited. The following are Jyotiba Rao Phule’s primary contributions to
Indian society.

Jyotiba Rao Phule’s Contribution Towards Elimination of Caste Discrimination

Jyotirao attacked the Orthodox Brahmin and other high-ranking castes, calling them “hypocrites”. He fought the
authoritarianism of upper castes and called on “farmers” and “proletariats” to resist the restrictions imposed on
them. He believed that religious icons such as ‘Rama’ or ‘Krishna’ were used by the Brahmin as a means of
conquering lower castes.

The orthodox Brahmin of society was furious at Jyotirao’s activities. They accused him of violating social norms
and regulations. Many had accused him of acting on behalf of Christian missionaries. However, Jyotirao remained
firm and resistant to them and decided to continue the movement started by him. Interestingly, Jyotirao was
assisted by some of his Brahmin friends who expanded their support for the success of his movement.
Jyotiba Rao Phule’s Contribution Towards Women’s Education

He believed in gender equality and embodied his belief by involving his wife in all social reform activities. He witnessed how a young
widow had to shave his hair and had to reject all kinds of joy in her life. He saw how untouchable women were forced to dance naked.
And then, he decided to educate women by witnessing all these social illnesses that promote inequality.

Jyotirao’s quest to give women and girls the right to education was supported by his wife, Savitribai Phule. One of the few educated
women of the time, Savitribai, received her literacy instruction from her husband, Jyotirao. In 1851, Jyotirao founded a girls’ school and
asked her wife to teach girls at school. He later opened two more schools for girls and indigenous schools for lower castes, especially
for Mahar and Mang caste.

Jyotiba Rao Phule’s Efforts Toward Stopping Child Marriage and Jauhar Pratha

In his time, society was patriarchal and the status of women was particularly dire. Female infanticide and child marriage were two main
stigmas in society. Girls were sometimes married to much older men. These women often became widowed before even reaching
puberty and were left without family support. Suffering from their plight, Jyotirao founded an orphanage or ashram in 1854 to protect
these unfortunate souls from the cruel hands of society. And eventually became an advocate of the widow’s remarriage idea.
“I HOPE YOU FOUND THIS PRESENTATION INSIGHTFUL”
"Without education, wisdom was lost;

without wisdom, morals were lost;

without morals, development was lost;

without development, wealth was lost;

without wealth, the Shudras were ruined;

so much has happened through lack of education.”

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