Jyotirao Govindrao Phule

Born – 11 April 1827

Died – 28 November 1890

Achievements – He was a prominent activist, thinker and social reformer from the Indian state of Maharashtra during the 19th century. During his time, he tried bringing in positive renovations in the spheres of education, agriculture, caste system, social position of women et al.

Jyotirao Govindrao Phule, who was a prominent activist, thinker and social reformer from the Indian state of Maharashtra during the 19th century, was also famous by the name of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule. During his time, he tried bringing in positive renovations in the spheres of education, agriculture, caste system, social position of women et al. Out of everything that Phule ever did, he’s most remembered for his selfless service to educate women and lower caste people.

Read on to get more info on Jyotirao Govindrao Phule, who after educating his wife, opened the first school for girls in India in August 1848. Later on, Phule set up the Satya Shodhak Samaj or the Society of Seekers of Truth along with Jyotirao, who was made its first president and treasurer in 1973. The real aim of this institute was to prevent exploitation and misbehavior to people from the low caste Shudra at the hands of the upper class Brahmins in the society.

Due to his relentless struggle to derive justice and equal rights for the farmers and the lower caste, Jyotirao Govindrao Phule is regarded as one of the most significant figure in the social reform movement in Maharashtra state during his time. Phule himself belonged to a humble family from the Mali caste in the city of Pune. His father Govindrao was a vegetable-vendor, whereas his mother died when he was just nine months old.

The life history of Jyotirao Govindrao Phule took a meaningful turn after his intelligence was detected by his Muslim and Christian neighbors who convinced his father to allow him to study at the local Scottish Mission’s High School. Highly swayed by Thomas Paine’s book ‘Rights of Man’, Phule developed an impeccable sense of social justice and grew passionately critical of the Indian caste system.

Interestingly, Mahatma Phule nurtured a favorable perspective on the British Rule in India because he thought it at least introduced the modern notions of justice and equality into the Indian society. Phule vehemently advocated widow-remarriage and even got a home built for housing upper caste widows during 1854. In order to set an example before the people, he opened his own house and let all make use of the well water without any prejudice.

 

http://www.bhagwanvalmiki.com/savitribai.htm

Events	Year
Birth of Mahatma Jyotirao Phule.	11th April, 1827
Marathi education in Panthoji’s school.	1834 to 1838
Married to Savitribai, the daughter of Khandoji Nevase at Naigaon.	1840
Primary education(English) in Missionary School.	1841 to 1847
Study of Thomas Paine’s book ‘Rights of Man’.	1847
Humiliation at marriage procession of upper caste friend.	1848
Started school for girls of shudra and atishudra.	1848
Left home with wife because of oath taken to educate the Shudras.	1849
Started girls school at Chiplunkar’s wada	1851
Major Candy felicitated Jyotiba Phule for his contribution in the field of education.	16 Nov. 1852
Joined a Scottish school as a part time teacher.	1854
Started night school.	1855
Took retirement from the management board of school.	1858
Helped in the remarriage of widows.	1860
Started Infanticide Prohibition Home.	1863
Death of Jotirao’s father Govindrao.	1868
Opened the well of his house to the untouchables.	1868
‘Chatrapati Shivaji Raje Bhonsle yancha povada’.	1st June, 1869
Gulamgiri.	1 June 1873
Formation of ‘Satya Shodhak Samaj’.	24 Sept. 1873
Procession of Dayanand Saraswati.	1875
Report of Pune’s branch of Satya Shodhak Samaj.	20 March 1877
Member of Pune Muncipality.	1876 to 1882
Made presentation to Hunter Education Commission.	19 Oct. 1882
Written the most famous book ‘Shetkarayacha Aasud (Cultivator’s Whipcord)’.	18 July 1883
Published the book ‘Ishara’	1 Oct.1885
Junnar Court‘s decision in favour of villager’s right	29 March 1885
Felicitated by Duke of Connaught.	2 March 1888
Felicitated by public and was honoured with the title of’ MAHATMA’	11 May 1888
Started writing the book ‘Sarvajanik Satya Dharma Poostak’	1st April 1889
Death of Mahatma Jotirao Phule.	28 Nov 1890

Cited from:

http://www.iloveindia.com/indian-heroes/jyotirao-govindrao-phule.html, Date:24-01-2009