Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule were two great people who lived in India in the 1800s. They worked hard to stop unfair treatment of people because of their caste or because they were women. Back then, society treated some people badly just because of their birth. Lower caste people and women had no rights. Jyotiba and Savitribai gave their lives to change this.

Jyotiba Phule: A Man with New Ideas

Childhood and Early Life

Jyotiba Phule was born on April 11, 1827, in Pune, Maharashtra. His family belonged to the Mali caste, which was considered a low caste at that time. His father, Govindrao, sold flowers and vegetables. He wanted Jyotiba to study, which was not easy for low-caste children back then.

Jyotiba studied in a Marathi school first. Later, he went to a missionary school where he learned English. While studying, he saw how low-caste people were treated badly. One day, when he went to a Brahmin friend’s wedding, people insulted him and threw him out because of his caste. This made Jyotiba decide to change society.

Jyotiba’s Thoughts and Books

Jyotiba understood that society had many wrong rules. At that time, Brahmins used old books like Vedas to control society. Jyotiba said this system was used to keep low castes and poor people down. He wrote a book called ‘Gulamgiri’ (1873), which means “Slavery.” In this book, he said the caste system was like slavery. He compared it to how slaves were treated in America.

Jyotiba believed that education was the way for low castes and poor people to make their lives better. He wrote another book called ‘Shetkaryacha Asud’ (1882), which talked about the problems of farmers and workers. He said Brahmins used religion and old customs to cheat low-caste people.

Starting the Satya Shodhak Samaj

In 1873, Jyotiba started the Satya Shodhak Samaj, which means “Society for Finding Truth.” This group worked to make everyone equal, no matter their caste or religion. The Satya Shodhak Samaj fought against caste differences, child marriage, and bad treatment of widows.

Jyotiba told people not to follow old customs or Brahmin priests. He made weddings and other rituals simple and cheap. The Satya Shodhak Samaj helped low castes and poor people in Maharashtra understand their rights. It was a big change for that time.

Savitribai Phule: India’s First Woman Teacher

Childhood and Marriage

Savitribai Phule was born on January 3, 1831, in Naigaon, Satara, Maharashtra. Her family were farmers. At that time, girls were married very young. When Savitribai was 9 years old, in 1840, she was married to 13-year-old Jyotiba Phule. She did not know how to read or write because girls were not allowed to go to school.

Jyotiba decided to teach Savitribai. He taught her Marathi and English at home. Savitribai worked hard and soon learned to read and write well. Jyotiba also helped her train to become a teacher. This was a big step because women were not allowed to work outside the home.

First School for Girls

In 1848, Jyotiba and Savitribai opened the first school for girls in Pune. This was the first school of its kind in India. At that time, people thought it was wrong to teach girls. Because of this school, Savitribai faced a lot of anger. When she went to school, people threw dirt, stones, and insulted her. But Savitribai never gave up.

In this school, Savitribai taught girls from low castes and poor families. She not only taught them to read and write but also told them they were equal and could fight for their rights. Savitribai believed that if girls studied, they could make their lives better.

Savitribai’s Poems and Writing

Savitribai was not just a teacher; she was also a poet. Her poems were simple and inspiring. She wrote a book of poems called ‘Kavya Phule’ (1854). In these poems, she wrote about society’s wrongs and the problems women faced. Her poems encouraged people to change.

Savitribai also wrote letters and articles. In them, she talked about why education is important, women’s rights, and stopping caste differences. Her writing was easy to understand so everyone could read it.

Helping Widows and Helpless Women

At that time, widows had a very hard life. Society treated them badly and gave them no rights. In 1854, Savitribai and Jyotiba opened a home for widows. This home gave widows a safe place to live with respect.

Savitribai also supported widows getting married again. She helped many widows remarry, which was a brave thing to do at that time. She also started an orphanage to save the children of widows and helpless women. Savitribai adopted a boy named Yashwant from the orphanage and raised him as her own son.

Jyotiba and Savitribai’s Work Together

Changing Education

Jyotiba and Savitribai thought education was the best way to change society. They opened many schools for girls and low-caste children. By 1852, they had started 18 schools in Pune. Most of these schools were for low-caste and poor children.

In their schools, children learned reading, writing, and good values like equality. Jyotiba and Savitribai made sure there was no caste or gender difference in their schools. They also trained teachers to teach children the right ideas.

Fighting Wrong Customs

Jyotiba and Savitribai spoke against many wrong customs, like child marriage, bad treatment of widows, and untouchability. They told people these customs were unfair and against humanity. Through the Satya Shodhak Samaj, they asked people to think logically and follow science.

They worked to stop untouchability. Jyotiba dug a well at his house, and he let everyone, including low castes, use it. This was a big step because low castes were not allowed to use wells at that time.

Helping with Health and Service

In 1897, a disease called plague spread in Pune. Savitribai and her son Yashwant worked day and night to help sick people. Savitribai opened a hospital to treat people with the plague. While helping others, she got sick with the plague and died on March 10, 1897.

Jyotiba had died earlier on November 28, 1890. After he was gone, Savitribai kept his work going and made the Satya Shodhak Samaj stronger.

Their Ideas and Their Impact

Impact on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

Jyotiba and Savitribai’s ideas had a big effect on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Ambedkar called Jyotiba his guru. Jyotiba’s book ‘Gulamgiri’ inspired Ambedkar to fight for the rights of low castes. Jyotiba’s ideas against caste and his focus on education showed Ambedkar the way.

Ambedkar carried forward the ideas of the Satya Shodhak Samaj. He worked to make equality part of India’s Constitution. Jyotiba and Savitribai’s work gave Ambedkar the belief that education and unity could free low castes.

Impact on Today’s India

Jyotiba and Savitribai’s ideas are still important in India today. Their focus on education and equality helped start movements for low castes and women. Many groups and people in India today are inspired by their work.

Savitribai’s work for women’s education is still a big inspiration. Because of her, more girls in India can study today. Jyotiba’s fight against caste helped build the idea of social justice.

Conclusion

Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule were great people who fought against unfair rules in society. They opened schools for girls and low castes and worked for equality. Their Satya Shodhak Samaj and their books still guide us today.

Savitribai’s work as a teacher and Jyotiba’s new ideas changed India. Their lives teach us that with courage and hard work, we can break any barrier. Today, as we fight against caste and gender differences, Jyotiba and Savitribai’s lives inspire us.

In their words:

“Without education, there is no progress. Without progress, there is no freedom.”

This article is a small way to remember their lives and work. Their story teaches us that we need courage and effort to change society. Their legacy will always inspire us.