Mahadev Govind Ranade Biography 
Mahadev Govind Ranade was a scholar, social reformer and writer. He was a founding member of the Indian National Congress and known for his social work. His wife, Ramabai Ranade was also a social worker known for her social service for the uplift of women providing them education as well as work skills. It was Ranade who changed illiterate Ramabai to a popular orator and social activist and throughout his life, she remained as his shadow. Govind Ranade has also served as member of both Bombay legislative council and finance committee and the judge of Bombay High Court. He was one among the founders of Poona Sarvajanik Sabha and the Prarthana Samaj. He has also served as the editor of Anglo-Marathi daily paper, the Induprakash, from Mumbai.
Ranade was born in Niphad of Nashik District of Maharashtra. His childhood days were spent at Kolhapur. He began studies at the Elphinstone College in Mumbai and was one among the students of the first batch of the graduates – both B.A (1862) and the LL.B (1866). Famous social reformer Ramakrishna Gopal Bhandarkar was his classmate. Later Ranade completed post-graduation too. Ranade has served as Presidency magistrate of the Bombay Small Causes Court in 1871, first-class sub-judge at Pune in 1873, judge of the Poona Small Causes Court in 1884, and finally to the Bombay High Court in 1893. Until he joined the High Court, he was a member of the Bombay legislative council.
In 1897, Ranade’s service on financial retrenchment committee won him the decoration of Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire. He was a great Marathi scholar who became instrumental in the translation of several English books and introduced vernacular languages into the university curriculum. He has also authored a few books. He has been associated with religious, social and political activities as well.
Published: N/A
Updated: December 28, 2013
