Mahatma Jyotirao Phule
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Mahatma Jyotirao Phule (April 11, 1827 - November 28, 1890) was a social worker noted for his work in the upliftment of widows and the lower castes in India.
He was assisted in his work by his wife, Savitribai Phule, and together they started the first school for girls belonging to the shudra and atishudra Caste in India in 1848, for which he had to leave his home. He also initiated widow-remarriage and started a home for new-born infants to prevent female infanticide. Phule tried to eliminate the stigma of Untouchability surrounding the lower castes by opening his house and the use of his water-well to the members of the lower castes.
He was highly influenced by Thomas Paine's book 'Rights of Man'.
He formed Satya Shodhak Samaj (Truth Finding Community) on September 24 1873.
Phule was a member of Pune municipality from 1876 to 1882.
His famous published works are
- Shetkarayacha Aasud (Cultivator's Whipcord), July 1883
- Ishara, October 1885
- Sarvajanik Satya Dharma Poostak, April 1889