Birth and Introduction of mahatma Jyotiba Phule
Birth Date : 11 April 1827
Place : Maharashtra,Pune
Caste : Mali ( Gardener )
Real name : Jyotirao govindrao phule
Father Name : Govindrao phule
mother name : chimnabai phule
Mahatma Jyotiba’s mother passed away when he was only 9 months old.
family business : flower
His surname became Phule due to his business
Mahatma Jyotiba Phule received his primary education in a Marathi school
Due to financial stress in the family, he left his studies, but later he completed his studies from Scottish Missionary School
Beginning of social reform 1848
In 1848, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule along with his wife Savitribai Phule started the first girls school.
At that time women in India did not have the right to education.
Savitribai Phule became the first female teacher of India and started teaching girls.
But Jyotiba and Savitribai had to face a lot of opposition due to this step, their family also rejected them.
But despite so many difficulties, they did not give up on their goal and continued their work.
Establishment of Satya Shodhak Samaj
In 1873, Jyotiba Phule founded the Satya Shodhak Samaj.
The main aim of this organization was to eradicate caste discrimination, inequality and Brahmanism prevalent in society.
The Satya Shodhak Samaj brought people of all castes and religions together on one platform, which was not liked by many people.
Phule, along with his life partner Savitribai Phule, took this society forward and started fighting for people’s rights.
Through this Satya Shodhak Samaj, he opposed many superstitions and old customs.
Gulamgiri' and other writings
Jyotiba Phule also wrote many books to spread his views to the society.
In 1873, he wrote a book named ‘Gulamgiri’, which was a big attack on the social system of that time.
In this book, he explained how the Brahminical system had kept the Shudras and Ati-Shudras as slaves.
He also requested the British government to help in providing education and independent rights to the Shudras.
Other important writings of Phule include ‘Kisan Ka Koda’, in which he shed light on the plight of farmers and their exploitation.
He believed that land reforms and farmers’ rights should be supported.
Women's education and rights
Phule believed that education is the biggest weapon to bring about change in society.
He opened many schools for women and Dalits.
At that time girls were not allowed to study and their rights were violated.
Jyotiba worked to change this thinking.
In 1851, he opened a ‘Ratiri Pathshala’ for those who worked all day and could not study at night.
Women's Liberation and Social Justice
Phule and Savitribai took many steps for women’s emancipation and social justice.
At that time in India there was strong opposition against child marriage, Sati Pratha and widow marriage.
Jyotiba opposed these practices and protected the rights of women.
He supported widow marriage and encouraged all families for it.
Phule and Savitribai also established a Widow Ashram where widow women were given freedom and were taught reading and writing.
Kisan Andolan and Land Reform
Jyotiba Phule also fought for the rights of farmers.
She showed the exploitation of farmers and their struggle in a book named ‘Kisan Ka Koda’.
Phule said that the real creators of Indian society are farmers, but they have always been suppressed.
Therefore, she raised her voice against the atrocities of mafia and the government by doing land reform
Opposition to religious superstition and superstition
Jyotiba Phule exposed the archeology and religious superstitions.
He said that some religious leaders were exploiting people by leading them into superstitions.
He opposed the Brahmanical religious rituals and said that man should only trust his own actions, not the religious superstitions.
Through his thoughts, he talked about rising above caste and religion and demanded equal rights for all.
Women's education and Savitribai Phule's contribution
Savitribai Phule, who became India’s first female teacher, established a school for girls along with her husband Jyotiba.
Savitribai started her education from her own home, but she had to face people’s slander, abuse and stones.
Still she did not lose courage. She taught women to study and encouraged them to be self-reliant.
Death and legacy
Jyotiba Phule died on 28 November 1890.
Even after his death, his contributions and thoughts continued to influence the society.
His wife Savitribai Phule continued his work after his death and dedicated her life to women’s education and social reform.
Nice information