Write about the contribution of Mahatma Phule.
Solution
In 1873, Mahatma Jotirao Phule founded ‘Satyashodhak Samaj’ in Pune. It challenged intellectually and rationally unjust religious traditions. Mahatma Phule cracked a whip on the social customs and practices, which pushed the masses of Indian society into a miserable state. He showed a new path to the farmers, artisans, workers, and various suppressed castes for their upliftment. The characteristics of the Satyashodhak Samaj included monotheism, rejection of the authority of Veda-Puranas, acceptance of rationality, opposition to dominance and intrusion of the priests and idol worship, pilgrimage, disbelief in miracles, and opposition to the notion of a world after death. Mahatma Phule and Savitribai Phule took initiative in the movement of education for girls by starting a school for them. They emphasised the fact that educating the girls is the only way to their emancipation. The social system in India was based on social inequality. Mahatma Phule worked for creating a social system based on equality.
