Mains Practice Questions

Introduction: 

In 19th-century India, rigid caste hierarchies and patriarchal norms marginalised large sections of society, denying them dignity, education, and justice. Jyotiba Phule emerged as a pioneering social reformer who challenged the entrenched social order and sought to empower the oppressed through education, rational thinking, and social reform. By advocating equality and emancipation, Phule reshaped the discourse on social justice in colonial India.

Body :

Key Contributions of Jyotiba Phule’s Ideas: 

• Social Reforms and Anti-Caste Movement:
  • Criticised Brahmanical orthodoxy and caste-based discrimination.
  • Founded Satyashodhak Samaj (Truth-Seeking Society) in 1873 to promote equality.
  • Opposed untouchability, campaigned for widow remarriage, and challenged child marriage.
  • Empowered marginalised communities like Shudras and Dalits, laying the foundation for modern anti-caste movements.
• Education as a Tool for Emancipation:
  • Advocated universal education, especially for girls and lower-caste children.
    • Jyotirao Phule, along with his wife Savitribai Phule, established the first girls’ school in India in Pune in 1848, pioneering women’s education and challenging prevailing social norms.
  • Established schools with his wife, Savitribai Phule, breaking social taboos.
  • Believed that knowledge empowers the oppressed to claim social, economic, and political rights.
• Women’s Empowerment and Gender Justice:
  • Promoted women’s education and fought against oppressive practices like Sati and child marriage.
  • Integrated gender equality into the broader struggle for social justice.
• Philosophical and Ideological Contributions
  • Advocated rationalism, humanism, and secularism.
  • Criticised religion used as a tool of oppression.
  • Authored literary works such as Gulamgiri, which exposed caste-based exploitation.
  • Inspired later reformers such as Dr. B.R. Ambedkar influenced Dalit emancipation movements.

Conclusion: 

Jyotiba Phule’s efforts gave voice to the marginalized, breaking the silence of the oppressed. Through his focus on education, social reform, and women's empowerment, he redefined social justice in India. His legacy emphasises egalitarianism, dignity, and human rights, continuing to inspire contemporary movements for equality and inclusion.