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On April 11, 2025, the Prime Minister paid tribute to Mahatma Jyotiba Phule on his 199th birth anniversary.

Who was Jyotiba Phule (1827-1890)?

About Mahatma Phule

Jyotirao Govindrao Phule, born on April 11, 1827, near Pune, was from the Mali caste.
His father was a vegetable vendor, and his mother died when he was young.
He pursued education at the Scottish Mission High School in Pune despite caste-based discrimination.
He was inspired by Western thinkers like Thomas Paine and John Stuart Mill, fuelling his social justice dedication.
At 13, he married Savitribai Phule, who became his partner in social reforms, particularly promoting education for women and marginalized communities.

In 1848, Phule and his wife established India’s first girls’ school in Pune.
He focused on educating Dalits and lower-caste groups, traditionally excluded from education.
He founded night schools for working-class individuals, especially women.

Phule criticized the caste system, calling it a means of oppression.
In 1873, Phule’s book Gulamgiri condemned caste discrimination, comparing Dalits’ plight to slavery.
Phule coined the term ‘Dalit’ to describe those outside the caste system.

Phule advocated for widow remarriage and provided a dignified life for widows.
In 1863, he opened homes to help pregnant widows.
He co-founded an infanticide prevention center, tackling the killing of female infants.

Phule founded Satyashodhak Samaj in 1873 to promote social equality, rational thinking, and religious reform.
The Samaj rejected idolatry and supported a more rational spiritual approach.
He broke the social stigma of untouchability by opening his house and water-well to the oppressed.

Phule was an advocate for critical thinking of religion, rejecting superstition and blind faith.
He believed in equality and justice across religions and cultures.
He was influenced by Bhakti saints like Sant Kabir and Sant Tukaram in his fight against social oppression.

Gulamgiri (Slavery) (1873): Critiqued the caste system and called for Dalit liberation.
Shetkaryacha Asud (Farmer’s Whip) (1881): Addressed the exploitation of farmers and advocated for land reforms.
Sarvajanik Satya Dharma Poostak: Promoted rationalist thought and social justice.
Tritiya Ratna (1855): A significant work in advocating for social equality.
Brahmananche Kasab (1869): Criticized the exploitation by the Brahmin class.
Powada: Chatrapati Shivajiraje Bhosle Yancha (1869): A work celebrating the legacy of Shivaji Maharaj.
Satsar Ank (1885): Another rationalist work addressing societal issues.
Akhandadi Kavyarachana: A literary contribution reflecting Phule’s thoughts on social justice.

[UPSC 2016] Satya Shodhak Samaj organized:

(a) a movement for the upliftment of tribals in Bihar’

(b) a temple-entry movement in Gujarat

(c) an anti-caste movement in Maharashtra

(d) a peasant movement in Punjab