Mahatma Jyotirao Phule (1827-1890) is regarded as the “Father of the Indian Social Revolution.” His radical approach sought social transformation through education and rationalism.
Mahatma Phule’s writings
Gulamgiri: drew parallels between the plight of lower castes in India and Black slaves in America.
Shetkaryacha Asud : critique of the exploitation of farmers by the “Shetji-Bhatji” (moneylender-priest) alliance and the colonial bureaucracy.
Tritiya Ratna : A play highlighting how education serves as the “third eye” that allows the oppressed to see through religious and social deception.
Brahmananche Kasab: Exposed the various ways in which Brahmin priests exploited the ignorant masses through complex rituals and superstitions.
Sarvajanik Satya Dharma Pustak: Published posthumously, it outlined a universal religion based on truth, social equality, and a single creator (Nirmika), rejecting idol worship and caste.
Satsar (The Essence of Truth): defended Pandita Ramabai’s conversion and attacked Brahminical societal norms.
In his poems and ballads (Powadas), he reinterpreted myths like the Aryan Invasion Theory to present Shudras as the “Bhumiputras” (sons of the soil) who were wrongly subjugated.
Efforts of Social Reform
Pioneering Women’s Education: In 1848, he opened the first indigenous school for girls at Bhide Wada, Pune.
Education for Dalits: He established the first schools specifically for Mahar and Mang children (Ati-Shudras) in 1852.
Satyashodhak Samaj (1873): Founded the “Society of Truth Seekers” to liberate the lower castes from priestly control. It promoted rituals conducted by non-Brahmins.
He opened his own private water tank in Pune for Dalits to use, directly challenging untouchability.
Balhatya Pratibandhak Griha (1863): He provided refuge to pregnant widows (often upper-caste) to deliver babies safely and secretly, even adopting one child, Yashwant.
He campaigned vigorously against the forced tonsuring of widows and organized a strike of barbers in Pune to refuse shaving widows’ heads.
Agrarian Reforms: He demanded irrigation facilities, animal breeding programs, and scientific farming to uplift the subaltern peasantry.
Working Class Support: Along with his associate N.M. Lokhande, he supported the early mill worker movements in Bombay.
Established night schools for those belonging to the working class who could not attend school during the day due to their labor.
In his testimony to the Hunter Commission (1882), he demanded free and compulsory primary education and proportional representation for lower castes in government jobs.
Critical Assessment
His movement was regionally concentrated in western India.
Limited mobilisation among industrial labour due to the early time period.
He laid the foundation for later non-Brahmin and Dalit movements and contributed significantly to the idea of social justice and equality in modern India.