Question

Describe the contributions of Jyotiba Phule to the Indian society.

Answer 1

Instructions: The answer to this question can be broken into 3 main parts:

1. Introduce the social reformer
2. Mention the contribution
   a. Institutions
   b. Social reforms
   c. Literary work
3. Describe the attitude towards British rule

Solution:

• Jyotiba Govindrao Phule, the earliest leader of the non-Brahman Movement, was born in 1827 in Maharashtra.
• He opposed the practice of child marriage and supported widow remarriage.
• He established a school at Poona to promote education among the people who were considered untouchables.
• He also started the Satyashodak Samaj to develop a sentiment of self-respect and dignity among the people belonging to the non-Brahmans classes.
• Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule dedicated their lives to the upliftment of the depressed classes and women.
• He wrote the book Gulamgiri in which he narrated many of his radical ideas.
• Jyotiba Phule favoured British rule and missionaries as it helped the lower class to challenge the Brahmin class.