Mahatma Phule

 

Mahatma Phule

Mahatma Jyotirao Phule was one of the most influential and revolutionary social reformers of 19^th century Maharashtra. He was regarded as one of his Guru’s by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar.

Mahatma Phule was born in the year 1827.  His father’s name was Govindrao Phule and his mother’s name was Chimnabai. He belonged to the caste of Gardeners which is called as Mali in Marathi language. The original surname of this family was Gorhe. The family of Mahatma Phule was in the business of flowers. Hence, their surname became Phule, meaning of Marathi word Phule is Flowers in English.

Mahatma Phule was great intellectual. He had command on both Marathi and English languages. He believed in the principle of strong body and sound mind. Hence, he used to exercise and also learnt the martial art and wrestling from a wrestler and expert named Lahujibuwa Mang.

Mahatma Phule got married with Savitribai in 1840. Savitribai was from Satara district. The name of her village was Naigaon. Her father’s name was Khandoji Nevase Patil. Mahatma Phule firmly believed in promoting the women’s education. After marriage Mahatma Phule taught Savitribai to read and write.  and educated her.

One can say that reading played an important role in shaping the views and personality of Mahatma Phule. He had a command on both Marathi as well as English languages. He had not only read but thoroughly studied the history of the world and India.

He was immensely influenced by the writings of American thinker Thomas Pain. One of the books of Thomas Pain which had lasting impact on Mahatma Phule was  ‘The Rights of Man’. He thoroughly believed in the principles of human equality and freedom.

He had also studied the Hindu religious sacred books such as Vedas, Smrutis and Puranas. He was very much disturbed by the precarious condition of Shudra and Atishudra castes, the so called lower castes. He was moved by the condition of untouchables or Dalits and women.

He firmly decided to devote his life for the upliftment of downtrodden and women. He was the one who started the first school for erstwhile untouchables. He realised that modern education will be the key for the upliftment of downtrodden people. Mahatma Phule started the first school for girls in 1848. The Atishudras were not allowed to fetch water from the common wells or other water sources used by higher caste people. Hence, he opened the well from his own house yard for them.

He supported the cause of widow remarriage. In 1863 he started an orphanage in order to prevent the killings of infants and give refuge to the widows.

He promoted the belief among the Shudras and Atishudras that mythological king Bali was their real king and hero. He also rejected the incarnations of Lord Vishnu. He called the God as Nirmik i.e. Creator. He did not believe in idol worship.

In order to promote the cause of social and religious reforms Mahatma Phule started the Satyashodhak Samaj. He championed the cause of equality, freedom, education for women and downtrodden.

Some of the path breaking books of Mahatma Phule are Gulamgiri (Slavery) and Shetkaryacha Asud (Cultivator’s Whipcord), Tritiya Ratna, Brahmananche Kasab, Chhatrapati Shivajiraje Bhosle Yancha Powada, etc.

He asked the Shudras and Atishudras to keep away from drinking alcohol and wasting money during the marriages. He saw that these people were becoming debt ridden due to spending too much money on marriages and alcohol.

Mahatma Phule inspired the coming generations for involving themselves in the work of social reforms. We have already mentioned that Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar also drew inspiration from Mahatma Phule and considered him as his Mentor.

Mahatma Phule has left the everlasting impression on the social reform movement of Maharashtra. Many scholars have written his Biographies and have done Doctoral research on him.

The country and Maharashtra has duly acknowledged the contributions of this great social revolutionary by naming many places after him. Plays have been written on the life and contributions of Mahatma Phule as well as Savitribai Phule. Acharya Pralhad Keshav Atre made a film titled ‘Mahatma Phule’ on his life and times. The Postal Department of Government of India issued a stamp in the name of Mahatma Phule in 1977.

Judged by any measure Mahatma Phule surely remains the revolutionary social reformer of modern times. His contributions really helped the downtrodden and women to break the shackles of slavery and exploitation. Let us salute this great son of India.