JYOTIBA PHULE & SAVITRIBAI PHULE : HISTORY

JYOTIBA PHULE & SAVITRIBAI PHULE : HISTORY

NEWS :  After row over dropping ‘shudra’, couplet pulled down from Jyotiba Phule memorial

 

WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?

A political controversy erupted after a key line referring to the word ‘Shudra’ from Jyotiba Phule’s seminal work Shetkaryacha Asud was omitted from an inscription at the newly inaugurated Phule memorial in Nasik.

Memorial: Inaugurated by CM Eknath Shinde, the memorial features an 18-foot bronze statue of Jyotiba and Savitribai Phule.

Jyotiba Phule:

  • Born: 11 April 1827 in Maharashtra.
  • Work: Jyotiba Phule was a social reformer who fought against the caste system and untouchability. He worked for the education of women and oppressed communities.
  • Education Pioneer: In 1848, he started the first school for girls in Pune, with support from his wife, Savitribai Phule.
  • Satyashodhak Samaj: In 1873, he founded this society to fight for equality and rights for lower castes.
  • Influences: He was inspired by the Marathi saint Tukaram and the ideas of Thomas Paine, especially on human rights.

Key Works:

1.      Tritiya Ratna (1855) – a play promoting equality and education.

2.      Brahmananche Kasab (1869) – a critique of Brahmin dominance.

3.      Powada (1869) – a ballad encouraging the upliftment of the oppressed.

4.      Gulamgiri (1873) – a comparison of caste oppression with slavery.

5.      Shetkarayacha Aasud (1881) – highlighting farmers’ struggles.

6.      Manav Mahammand (Muhammad) – a collection of spiritual songs.

·         Dalit: He is believed to be one of the first to use the term "Dalit" for the oppressed classes.

·         Mahatma: Phule was given the title "Mahatma" in 1888 for his contributions to social reform.

Savitribai Phule:

  • Born: 3 January 1831 in Maharashtra.
  • Work: Savitribai Phule was the first female teacher in India and a social reformer.
  • Education: She and Jyotiba started the first school for girls in Pune in 1848 and worked for the education of marginalized communities.
  • Women’s Rights: She campaigned against child marriage, supported widow remarriage, and fought for women’s rights.

Key Works:

  • Kavya Phule (1854) – a collection of her poems urging education for the oppressed.
  • Bavan Kashi Subodh Ratnakar (1892) – essays on social reform.
  • Go, Get Education – a poem encouraging education for the downtrodden.

·         Mahila Seva Mandal: In 1852, she started this group to promote women's rights and gender equality.

·         Together, Jyotiba and Savitribai Phule worked tirelessly for education, social equality, and the rights of women and the oppressed. Their legacy continues to inspire social change in India.