Jyotirao Phule (1827–1890), known as Jyotiba, was an Indian social reformer from Maharashtra. He established an educational movement and anti-caste liberation movement and founded the Satyashodhak Samaj. He opened a school for girls in 1848. He was an established writer, with his first work being the Marathi translation of Munger’s “Gulamgiri”, which he published in 1873. This work is considered one of the most important writings in the history of modern Maharashtra. (“Jyotirao Phule”, Wikipedia, 2010; “Mahatma Jyotirao Phule”, Anantam IAS). This publication discusses, based on available published sources, Jyotirao’s life and work, the 1848 school, Satyashodhak Samaj, “Gulamgiri”, and other works, and his title “Mahatma”. Where sources differ on the same issue, this will also be indicated. Our other publications, detail the life of Jyotirao’s wife, Savitribai, and a later leader, B.R. Ambedkar.
Jyotirao Phule biography: early life
Jyotirao Phule was born on 11th April 1827, and passed away on 28th November 1890 in Pune, India. (Wikipedia, 2011; Simple English Wikipedia, 2011). His birthplace varies in biographical accounts. The Wikipedia account states it is the Satara District, and another account states it was in Pune, and the Phule family later moved to Pune, and a third account states it was in Katgun, Satara District. (Wikipedia, 2011; Study IQ, 2011; Anantam IAS, 2011) He was born in the Mali community ( Study IQ, 2011), which in the varna system was classified as Shudras (Wikipedia, 2011). His mother Chimnabai, passed away when Jyotirao was approximately 1 year old (Wikipedia, 2011). For his education, Jyotirao attended the Pune Scottish Mission school in 1842 (Wikipedia, 2011). Our publication on varna explains the system, and our publication on Shudras, covers the account by B.R.Ambedkar.
1848 and the opening of Phule’s school and work with Savitribai
In 1848 Phule examined a women’s college and taught reading and writing to his wife Savitribai (Wikipedia). Subsequent 12 months found the starting of the primary indigenous women’s school in Pune by using the couple (Wikipedia). By using 1852 there have been three Phule faculty with 273 college students, all of which have been closed by way of 1858 (Wikipedia). In 1851 the couple began Mahila Seva Mandal (Wikipedia) in addition to an home for preventing infanticide (Widow shelter) (articles range from 1853 to 1863) (Wikipedia, “Savitribai Phule”; “Jyotirao Phule”). Phule additionally opened some other shelter for women who committed homicide of their offspring (articles variety from 1855 to 1865) (Wikipedia, “Savitribai Phule”). Widows shaved their heads and by no means smile because of their position, which motivated Phule for braving social opposition to assist for them (Wikipedia). He moreover encouraged a girl’s appropriate for remarriage (Wikipedia). Our notes on caste and girl schooling in India cover the bottom up stats on this duration.
Jyotirao Phule and the Satyashodhak Samaj
Phule established the Satyashodhak Samaj (SS), the “Society of Truth Seekers,” on September 24, 1873, in Pune. The aim of the Samaj was to promote social equality and to create an association that would facilitate the removal of social and religious disabilities that were tied to caste and to provide a means of defense to the Shudras and Ati-Shudras (SS; Testbook). According to SS, other women co-workers including Savitribai Phule, (Wikipedia, “Savitribai Phule”), were also involved in the founding of the Samaj. As the Samaj began to spread to different parts of Maharashtra, its activities centered on the removal of the social and religious disabilities of the lower castes and on providing them with some means of social defense (Wikipedia, “Satyashodhak Samaj”). It is said that in the spirit of the Samaj, the tenants of Satara revolted against the Brahmins in 1919 (Wikipedia, “Satyashodhak Samaj”). There were attacks on the Samaj for being anti-religious and anti-national (Wikipedia).
Jyotirao Phule Gulamgiri
1873 saw the publication of Gulamgiri by Phule. The book was written in Marathi, and the title means “Slavery” (Anantam IAS; StudyIQ). The book contains Phule’s comparison of the oppression of the lower castes of India and the Negroes of the United States who were enslaved (Phule; Testbook). The book was Phule’s appreciation of the people of the United States for their support of the cause of slavery (Anantam IAS; StudyIQ). It was Phule’s assertion that the ‘Aryan Invasion’ was a theory that the Brahmins concocted to justify their social superiority (Anantam IAS). Historians believe that Phule was a social reformer who was ahead of his time. Please see the log for an analysis of some of the claims. Our article on Isabel Wilkerson’s Caste contains a comparison of caste and race.
Books by Jyotirao Phule
| Title | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tritiya Ratna | 1855 | First play written based on Peasant dispossessions by the clergy (Anantam IAS) |
| Brahmananche Kasab | 1869 | A play from his works (Wikipedia) |
| Gulamgiri (“Slavery”) | 1873 | Writes on similar lines of Caste oppression and slavery as in America (Anantam IAS) |
| Shetkaryacha Asud (“The Cultivator’s Whipcord”) | 1881 | Book writes on Peasant dispossessions by the clergy and state (Anantam IAS; The IAS Hub) |
Wikipedia gives 1883 for Shetkaryacha Asud and other sources give 1881 (Wikipedia and Anantam IAS). The IAS Hub also gives Sarvajanik Satya Dharma Pustak amongst his works (The IAS Hub). Other books which I have not read, please refer log.
Hunter Commission and the title of Mahatma
He presented before the Hunter Commission in 1882 (Anantam IAS). In 1888 he was awarded Mahatma title in Bombay (Simple English Wikipedia; Anantam IAS). Our guide to Ambedkar Jayanti and Dalit History Month covers why the month of April honours both, Phule and Ambedkar.
Death and legacy
Phule was 63, when he died on 28 Nov 1890 in Pune (Wikipedia). He wrote in Marathi for the general public and believed literacy is the means to freedom. Phule’s idea and philosophy is still alive today, and publications on sources are still encouraged. The Educational program of the Ambedkarites, costs 297 Rs (~$4 USD), and teaches participants the means to publish their work on the web, learn Digital marketing and other skills. (Participants can join the movement for Free and learn the skills.)
What the sources differ on
- Place of birth. Katgun, Satara or Pune.
- Publication of Shetkaryacha Asud. 1881 or 1883?
- The widows’ home. Appears in both 1853 and 1863.
- The Aryan Invasion Theory. This is Phule’s hypothesis. Historians have argued both for and against it.
- Founders of the Samaj. Jyotirao Phule is given full credit. In some sources, Savitribai is given credit as a co-founder.
Takeaway
Jyotirao Phule (April 11, 1827-November 28, 1890) opened a school for girls in 1848. He also founded the Satyashodhak Samaj in 1873 and published Gulamgiri in 1873. In the book, he made a comparison between the caste system and slavery. He authored other books including Tritiya Ratna (1855) and Shetkaryacha Asud (1881/83) and testified before the Hunter Commission (1882). He was also given the title of Mahatma (1888). The Aryan Invasion Theory, which he published in Gulamgiri, is debated.
What is most often asked?
Who is Jyotirao Phule?
Phule (1827-1890) and his wife, Savitribai, opened a school for girls in Pune in 1848. He also founded the Satyashodhak Samaj in 1873.
What is Gulamgiri?
This book, published in 1873, explains the comparison of the caste system to the United States’ slave system. He dedicated this book to the United States’ Abolitionists.
What other books did he write?
Phule also wrote Tritiya Ratna in 1855, Brahmananche Kasab in 1869, and Shetkaryacha Asud in 1881 (or 1883).
Why is he also known as Mahatma?
Mahatma is a title given to great soul. This title was bestowed upon Phule in 1888.
SOURCES
- Wikipedia, “Jyotirao Phule”
- Simple English Wikipedia, “Jyotirao Phule”
- Wikipedia, “Satyashodhak Samaj”
- Wikipedia, “Savitribai Phule”
- Anantam IAS, “Mahatma Jyotirao Phule: Social Reformer and Father of Social Revolution”
- StudyIQ, “Jyotiba Phule Biography: Social Reforms, Contributions and Legacy”
- Testbook, “Jyotirao Phule: Life, Social Reforms, Contributions and Details”
- The IAS Hub, “Jyotirao Phule Biography, Social Reform Movements, Satyasodhak Samaj, Death, Legacy”
- Jyotirao Phule, Gulamgiri (1873), Shetkaryacha Asud (1881) (please add an edition and reference)
- Rosalind O’Hanlon, Caste, Conflict and Ideology: Mahatma Jotirao Phule and Low Caste Protest in Nineteenth-Century Western India (Cambridge University Press, 1985) (please add the page references)
