Jyotirao Phule
Full name: Jotiba Govindrao Phule
Born: April 11, 1827
Died: November 28, 1890
School/tradition: Indian philosophy
Main interests: Ethics, religion,Humanism
Influenced by:
Buddha • Moses • Jesus • Ashoka • Chandragupta Maurya • Muhammad • Kabir • Shivaji • Ram Mohan Roy • George Washington • Thomas Paine • Abraham Lincoln • Savitribai Phule • Thomas Jefferson • Benjamin Franklin • Martin Luther • Booker T. Washington • Mission (Christian) • Bible • Quran • Constitution of the United States of America • American Revolution • French Revolution
Influenced:
Bhimrao Ambedkar • Social Reform Movement in Maharashtra • Mahatma Gandhi • Shahu Maharaj • Nana Patil • A H Salunkhe • Savitribai Phule • Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III • Chhagan Bhujbal • Prakash Ambedkar • Chiranjeevi • Panjabrao Deshmukh • Indian Independence Movemen
Mahatma Jotiba Phule was an activist, thinker, social reformer, writer, philosopher, theologist, scholar, editor and revolutionary from Maharashtra, India in the nineteenth century. Jotiba Phule and his wife ‘Krantijyoti’ Savitribai Phule were the pioneer of women’s education in India. His remarkable influence was apparent in fields like education, agriculture, caste system, women and widow upliftment and removal of untouchability. He is most known for his efforts to educate women and the lower castes as well as ‘Bahujan people’. He, after educating his wife, opened the first school for girls in India in August 1848.
In September, 1873, Jotirao, along with his followers, formed the Satya Shodhak Samaj (Society of Seekers of Truth) with Jotirao as its first president and treasurer. The main objective of the organisation was to liberate the Bahujanas, Shudras and Ati-Shudras and to prevent them from ‘exploitations’ and ‘artocites’ created by the Brahmins. (he did however have a few Brahmin friends like Sadashiv Ballal Govande.[1]) For his fight to attain equal rights for peasants and the lower caste and his contribution to the field of education he is regarded as one of the most important figures in Social Reform Movement in Maharashtra.
Early life
Jotirao Govindrao Phule was born in Satara district of Maharastra in a family belonging to mali caste, a caste perceived to be inferior caste by certain sections of the society. His father, Govindrao, was a vegetable vendor. His mother died when he was 9 months old. After completing his primary education Jotirao had to leave school and help his father by working on the family’s farm. He was married at the age of 12. His intelligence was recognised by a Muslim and a Christian neighbor, who persuaded his father to allow Jotirao to attend the local Scottish Mission’s High School, which he completed in 1847. The turning point in Jotiba’s life was in year 1848, when he was insulted by family members of his friend, a bridegroom for his participation in the marriage procession, an auspicious occasion. Jotiba was suddenly facing the divide created by the caste system.[2] Influenced by Thomas Paine books Rights of Man(1791), Phule developed a keen sense of social justice, becoming passionately critical of the Indian caste system. He argued that education of women and the lower castes was a vital priority in addressing social inequalities.
Satyashodhak Samaj
On 24 September 1874, Jotirao formed ‘Satya Shodhak Samaj’ (Society of Seekers of Truth) with himself as its first president and treasurer. The main objectives of the organisation were to liberate the Shudras and Ati Shudras and to prevent their ‘exploitation’ by the Brahmins. Through this SatyaShodhak Samaj, Jotirao refused to regard the Vedas as sacrosanct. He opposed idolatry and denounced the chaturvarnya system (the caste system). SatyaShodhak Samaj propounded the spread of rational thinking and rejected the need for a Brahman priestly class as educational and religious leaders.
