Jyotirao Phule Biography 
Jyotirao Phule was a social reformer and philosopher of 19th century in India. He made remarkable works in the fields of education, agriculture and women uplifting. He fought against caste system and untouchability. He was also called as Mahatma Jyotiba Phule.
He was born on 11th April 1827 in Satara district of Maharastra. His father was Govinda. His mother died when he was nine. He had to work on the family farm after he completed his primary education. He married Savitribai Phule when he was 12. Then he attended Scottish Mission’s High School and completed in 1847.
He educated his wife at home. Later he opened a school for girls in India in August 1848 which was the second girls’ school of India. In September 1873, he formed Satya Shodhak Samaj to liberate Bahujans and Shudras the so called low castes from the exploitation of the higher castes. He took active part in the Social Reform Movement in Maharashtra.
He was a Hindu and followed Bhakti tradition. He attacked Vedas and considered them as idle fantasies. He was assisted by his wife Savitribai Phule in his works. He advocated widow remarriage and started home of widowns in 1854 and a home for new born infants to prevent the female infanticide. He served as the member of the Pune municipality from 1876 to 1882.
He had many followers. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was inspired by his works. Mukundrao Bhujbal Patil tried to make his works famous. Some of his famous works are Tritiya Ratna, Brahmananche Kasab, Powada: Chatrapati Shivajiraje Bhosle Yancha, Manav Mahammand, Gulamgiri, Ishara, etc.
He had a favorable opinion about British rule in India as they introduced justice and equality in the Indian society. He died on 28th November 1890 and after his death, Satya Shodhak Samaj was dissolved by its members and was merged into Congress party.
Published: N/A
Updated: April 14, 2018
