Mahatma Jyotirao Phule was a well-known Maharashtrian social activist who and his wife Savitribai Phule played a crucial role in highlighting caste equality and women empowerment.
Jyotirao Phule encouraged the motive of education in lower castes and pioneered women’s education in India. He along with his supporters established Satyashodhak Samaj to acquire equal rights for lower caste people.
Why Did Jyotirao Phule Become Social-activist
Phule himself belonged to a lower caste “Mali” which is within “Shudras” of the four-fold caste varnas system of caste hierarchy. Mahatma Jyotirao Phule once visited to attend his Brahmin friend’s marriage where people discriminated against him as he belonged to a lower caste which is referred to as the “caste of untouchables“.
This incident hurted Phule’s sentiments after which he began to work on eradicating the system of untouchability. He also worked on women’s empowerment by educating them, especially those from lower castes.
Interesting Facts About Mahatma Jyotirao Phule
- Mahatma Jyotirao Phule belonged to a Shudra caste “Mali” which was discriminated against as “untouchables” during the 1900s.
- Jyotirao was named after God Jyotiba. Mahatma Jyotiba was born on the day of Jyotiba’s annual fair.
- Jyotiba worked on women empowerment as he first educated his wife Savitribai Phule and later opened the first indigenously run girls’ school in Pune. Despite discrimination, he never gave up on his motive. He also received support from various Indians and Europeans. Jyotiba and Savitiribai Phule started the first girls’ school in Vishrambag Wada, Pune, in 1848.
- Phule ran an infanticide prevention center where widow can deliver their children safely and secretly. Women were also given a choice of either keeping their babies or leaving them in orphanages.
- Phule initiated providing education to lower caste people. He advocated making primary education compulsory in villages.
- Apart from being a social activist, Phule was a businessman as well. He worked as a cultivator and municipal contractor. He worked with the government and provided building materials required for construction.
- Phule was complimented with the “Mahatma” title on 11 May 1888 by another social reformer from Bombay, Vuthalrao Krishnaji Vandekar.
- Indian Postal Department issued a postal stamp in the year 1977 in honor of Jyotirao Phule.
- The first minister of the law of India, B.R. Ambedkar was inspired by Mahatma Jyotiba and acknowledged him as one of his three gurus (Masters).
- The Parliament House in New Delhi was honored with the statue of Mahatma Jyotirao Phule on 3 December 2003. PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee revealed the statue of Jyotirao Phule at the Parliament House in New Delhi.
Source: Wikipedia
Source: Wikipedia
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