Mahatma Jyoti Govindrao Phule

Jyotirao Govindrao Phule was a Maharashtra-born Indian social activist, philosopher, anti-caste social reformer, and writer. His work included the abolition of casteism and the caste system, as well as initiatives to educate women and disadvantaged caste people. 

Jyotirao ‘Jyotiba’ Govindrao Phule

Mahatma Jyotiba Phule was also a trailblazer for women’s education in India, fighting for girls’ education throughout his life. He is thought to be the very first Hindu to establish an orphanage for needy youngsters. 

Childhood and Adolescence 

Jyotirao Govindrao Phule was born in the Maharashtra district of Satara in 1827. Govindrao, his father, was a vegetable dealer in Poona. Jyotirao’s family was of the ‘mali’ caste, and their original name was ‘Gorhay.’ Malis were considered an inferior caste by Brahmins and were socially ostracized. Jyotirao’s dad and uncles were florists, therefore the family was dubbed ‘Phule.’ Jyotirao’s mother died while he was only nine months old.

Jyotirao was a bright young man, but owing to financial constraints at the house, he had to discontinue his education at a young age. He began assisting his father by laboring on the family farm. Recognizing the kid prodigy’s aptitude, a neighbor encouraged his father to enroll him in school. Jyotirao enrolled at the Scottish Mission’s Junior High in Poona in 1841 and graduated in 1847. There, he managed to meet Sadashiv Ballal Govande, a Brahman who became a lifelong friend of his. Jyotirao married Savitribai when he was only thirteen years old. 

Movements For Social Change 

An occurrence in 1848 triggered Jyotiba’s crusade against the systemic inequality of caste inequality and ignited a socialist revolution in Indian society. Jyotirao was welcomed by one of his friends who belongs to a high caste Brahmin family. When the bridegroom’s relatives found out about Jyotiba’s roots, they humiliated and assaulted him at the wedding. Jyotirao fled the event, determined to defy the existing caste structure and societal constraints. He made it his life’s mission to relentlessly hammer away at the helm of affairs of social majoritarian dominance, with the goal of emancipating all human beings who were exposed to this social deprivation. 

Jyotirao was highly affected by Thomas Paine’s beliefs after reading his renowned novel ‘The Rights of Man.’ He thought that the only way to tackle societal ills was to educate women and downtrodden people.

Women’s Education Efforts 

Savitribai Phule, Jyotiba’s wife, backed his efforts to provide women and girls with the right to an education. Savitribai was one of the few educated women of her period, having learned how to read and write from her spouse Jyotirao. 

Jyotiba founded a ladies’ school in 1851 and requested his wife to instruct the students. Later, he established two more institutions for females, as well as an indigenous institution for the tribals, particularly the Mahars & Mangs. Jyotiba saw the plight of widows and founded an ashram for teenage widows, eventually becoming an advocate for widow remarriage. 

Around his time, civilization was patriarchal, and women’s positions were especially deplorable. Female infanticide was frequent, as was early marriage, with minors occasionally marrying considerably older adults. These ladies were frequently widowed before reaching adolescence, leaving them without any familial support. Jyotiba, moved by their suffering, founded a children’s home in 1854 to protect these sad souls from the merciless hands of society. 

Efforts To Eliminate Caste Discrimination 

Jyotirao derisively referred to traditional Brahmins and other higher castes as “hypocrites.” He fought against the upper caste’s authoritarianism and pushed the “peasants” and “working class” to oppose the limits placed on them. 

Jyotirao’s activities infuriated the society’s traditional Brahmins. They condemned him for tainting society’s norms and standards. Many suspected him of working with the Christian Missionaries. Jyotirao, on the other hand, was steadfast and determined to continue the effort. Surprisingly, Jyotirao was backed by certain Brahmin friends who offered their help to ensure the success of the campaign. 

Satya Shodhak Samaj 

Jyotiba Phule founded the Satya Shodhak Samaj in 1873. (Society of Seekers of Truth). He attempted a comprehensive deconstruction of current ideas and history in order to create a version that promotes equality. Jyotirao passionately opposed the Vedas, the Hindus’ ancient holy writings. He traced the development of Brahmanism through various other ancient books, holding the Brahmins accountable for enacting exploitative and cruel rules in order to retain their social supremacy by oppressing the society’s “Shudras” and “ati shudras.” 

Membership in the organization was open to everybody, regardless of caste or class. According to certain recorded documents, they even accepted Jewish members of the Samaj, and by 1876, the ‘Satya Shodhak Samaj’ had 316 members. In 1868, Jyotirao opted to create a public swimming pool outside his house to symbolize his open attitude toward all humanity and his willingness to dine with everyone, regardless of caste.

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