Jyotiba Phule (b. 11 April 1827–28 Nov 1890) was a real Mahatma of India and his contribution was priceless. Not limited to Maharashtra, but also the entire nation and its education system of 18s. In India, the naming system was solely dependent on the nature of work and hence the last name of Jyotiba was Gorhe and married to Savitribai Phule. He was born in Mali caste and his family business was like growing flowering plants in his farm.
Family
The family earning was selling the flowers for social events like weddings, birthdays etc. And Jyotiba Govind Gorhe turned into Jyotiba Phule (Phul in India, called as flower).
Phule was a real seeker and supporter of truth and social justice. His Nobel thinking ability was never less than any philosopher and always inclined toward the betterment of social status of women. It mostly focused on formation and building a better country free from anti-caste system and equality to untouchables.
Lack of education lead to lack of wisdom,
Jyotiba Phule
Which leads to lack of morals,
Thus, it leads to lack of progress,
Then it leads to lack of money,
And again it leads to the oppression of the lower classes,
See what state of the society one lack of education can cause!
Social Reformer Jyotiba Phule
Jyotiba Phule's propelling idea behind his life were many, Jyotiba and his wife, Savitri Bai Phule. They brought many positive changes to the society and lower caste communities.
Before India could evolve great leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, M K Gandhi was an emerging a student that time, or maybe he was amateur (Gandhi was a brilliant student, he finished his graduation in 1887) and B R Ambedkar was born after one year Jyotiba was died. The characteristics of Phule observed in the life of Ambedkar and his work in reformation of Dalit society.
Formation of Satyashodhak Samaj
In the year 1873, Jyotiba had formed Satyashodhak Samaj (society of seeker of truth) the motive toward finding the group was to eradicate untouchables and anti-caste system from the society.
Women in India of 18s were so weak in education (almost illiterate) or neither they could enrol themselves in any school or colleges (the key job of any woman was working in farm or housewife).
His wife, Savitri was the first woman in India who triggered the education system for women and became the first lady teacher of India.
There was only one lady from the Bombay Presidency (India). Anandi Bai Gopalrao Joshi who had graduated from the University of the United States, who got her degree in medical science.
Injustice to Jyotiba of the caste system sparked the fire. It rose to high in his heart due to insult in the wedding of one of his friends.
The Brahmin family friend and his parents considered Jyotiba from a lower-caste and category (one of the untouchables) and his parents abused him.
The incident changed the ambition and thinking in his life looking at poverty. Especially the ones who belong to lowered caste and untouchability.
His thoughts provoked him incredibly when he had read Rights of Man by Thomas Paine in 1848. The radical thoughts started awakening the real Phule, and thus he started speaking. And developing social justice awareness among the youth and society of the poor at the age of 22.
To start these, he had started teaching Savitri Phule. Jyotiba was aware about the facts. To start bringing the change in society, first educate women of India (all mothers).
Jyotiba Phule Established the First School for Girls
1848, After breaking the many barriers and hard work, the couple could finally establish their first school for girls in Pune, exactly 99 years ago of republic India. They had paid price for this (Phule and his wife was forced to leave the house of his parents).
In short, opponents had forcefully thrown out of the community, including his family members. Later, students from the Dalit caste also had started attending their school. Apart from these, he immensely supported widow marriage, built homes for lower-caste widows in 1854. Allowed his water-wells for usage to all his newly formed community.
His message to the people was simple,
Visiting temples, it means it is a way ruling of sickness of human mental. And going to school… It means a way of bringing brightness in life.
Mahatma Phule
The Name of many schools, colleges starts with the beginning of Phule or Savitri in India.
