Maharashtra’s role in social reform movement of 19th century

 

India is country with very diverse cultures . India today has maintained its secular fabric very strongly . What Indian society is today owes its contribution to the social reform movement which was started in the beginning   of the 19^th century.

During the first half of the 19^th century a new generation of educated folks who went to foreign for education were dissatisfied with social evils in the Indian society . They were started raising their voices against it. But during those saying anything against the religion was considered as as greatest offence and people were not ready to leave the practices which they were following from generations .

In Maharashtra also a generation of western educated people started some movement s against the social evils. They minutely study the British government policies , their economic agendas, the colonial nature of British government in India. They also felt the need to reform the Indian society on modern lines if we want to fight the foreign ruler. The English schools started by the missionaries in India had a great influence on the minds of educated people. English educated had introduces them with the modern values of equality , fraternity and the liberty.

In Maharashtra also some social and religious reforms movements were formed like Prarthan samaj and Satyashodhak samaj.

Various leaders also came forward for the women’s rights and their empowerment . Various practices were prevalent during those times like Sati ,ban on women’s educations, Child marriage etc.

In this article we are going to see various social and religious reforms movements in Maharashtra.

1) Prarthana Samaj

Dadoba Pandurang and his brother Dr. Atmaram Pandurang founded the Prarthana Samaj on 31^st March 1867.

Prarthana Samaj was active in the social reform works. It has started a movement to remove the untouchability from the society. Untouchability was the biggest evil affecting our society . Around 20% of people from the society were forbidden from even basic rights like drinking water from the public tank , taking education etc. They were subjected to constant discrimination from the upper caste people.

Shri. R. G. Bhandarkar and Justice Mahadev Govind Ranade were the strong supporting pillars of the Prarthana Samaj.

Justice Ranade had founded the Deccan education society with the sole purpose of spreading national education among the masses.

N. M. Joshi had founded “Social service league” for helping workers to fights for their rights .

Gopal Krishna Gokhale had founded the “Servants of Indian society “ to unite the like minded young people . His society worked for removing the untouchability from the minds of people.

Maharshi Vithal Ramij Shinde had founded “Depressed class mission for the welfare of Untouchables .

Prarthana Samaj had started “Anath Balkashram” at Pandharpur. This was a great step in the direction of women’s empowerment .They also set up separate schools for girls . “Arya Mahila Samaj”  which was a organization working for women  was set up by them.

Prathana samaj had also set night schools for the working people. In 1876 Bhikoba Laxman Chavhan had started the first night schools in Cheulwadi Mumbai.

To make people aware about the ideology of the Prathana Samaj Justice Ranade had written a book “Theist Confession of faith”.

Even though Prarthana samaj attracted various intellectuals in the starting phase , it had failed to the reach the rural areas of Maharashtra where it was needed more. As the Indian villages were more affected with the social evils than the cities.

 Again the workers of Prarthana samaj followed the path of missionaries . Hence Hindus did felt hostility towards them and saw them as interfering in their religious matter. Prarthana samaj followers and the workers are were supporting British government hence the nationalist minded people always seen them in hostile manner.

But it is the fact that Prarthana samaj had done tremendous work for the social reform in the Maharashtra. This movement brought some kind social revolution in Maharashtra against the social evils.

Satyashodhak Samaj (Truth seeker society )

Started by Mahatma Jyotirao Phule this organization was the crusader against the upper  caste dominance of the society and the brahminical dominance by the them.

Mahatma Jyotirao Phule is knows as Martin Luther king of Maharashtra .Born on 11 April 1827 he gave his life for the upliftment  of the lower caste people and the women.

Along with his wife Savitribai he started the first school for women in Pune.

Jyotirao was very angered with the upper caste dominance of the society . He found the inequality in the society very cruel and inhumane . That’s why he decided to fight against this discriminatory practices and to establish a equal humane society .

For that purpose he called a meeting of his supporters from all over the Maharashtra on 24 September 1873 at Pune. Nearly 60 members were present for this meeting.

After a brief discussion it was decided to found a organization with the name “Satya shodhak Samaj” meaning a truth seeker society . This was the first ever movement which was started for the cause of common people . Jyotiba Phule was appointed as president of the organization .

Satyashodhak samaj was not for any particular section of the society . It was founded the aware the neglected and down ridden people of society. This society undermined the importance of the Brahmin in the society .Samaj had used various methods to spread their ideology to the remotest villages. They aware people with the help of traditional folk theatres , Tamasha , Kirtan etc

Some notable works of Satyashodhak samaj

1) Samaj had organized various campaigns in the villages explaining them the true values of religion. They also encourage them to do any religious works without inviting Brahmins.  They also tried to teach the values of equality and fraternity .

Samaj was also against the idol worship, astrology , Black magic.

Samaj laid great importance on the education. Mahatma Phule organized scholarship campaigns for needy students helping them in overcoming the financial difficulties .

Samaj had also organized a campaign for conducting marriage ceremonies without any priest . In this way Samaj had tried to undermine the importance of the Brahmin –Purohit in the society .

In 1877 Samaj had opened Balashram( Child home centre) for the children of draught affected people.

The works done by Mahatma Phule and the Satyashodhak samaj became inspiration for the other bahujan movements in different part s of India. B R Ambedkar considered Mahatma Phule as one of his Guru.