Gopal Hari Deshmukh, the 19th-century social reformer of Maharashtra who wrote the 'Shatapatre' (hundred letters), is popularly known as:

Gopal Hari Deshmukh (1823-1892), the social reformer of Maharashtra, is popularly known as "Lokahitawadi" (one who works for the welfare of the people), the pen name under which he wrote.

The "Shatapatre":

• Between 1848 and 1850, he wrote a series of about a hundred letters ("Shatapatre") in the Marathi weekly "Prabhakar", under the pen name "Lokahitawadi".
• In these letters, he attacked the evils of Hindu society and the domination of the priestly class.
• He criticised the caste system, child marriage, the dowry system, polygamy and the ill-treatment of widows.
• He supported widow remarriage, women's education and the use of reason.
• He urged Indians to learn science, English and modern knowledge, and to develop industries.
• He criticised the orthodox Brahmins, who opposed social change.

About Gopal Hari Deshmukh:

• He was born on 18 February 1823 at Pune.
• He worked in the British judicial service, and rose to become a judge.
• He was a member of the Bombay Legislative Council.
• He supported the Prarthana Samaj and the work of other reformers.
• He wrote many books in Marathi on history, economics, religion and social reform.
• He founded the "Lokahitawadi" weekly, and helped start the Gyan Prakash newspaper and other journals.
• He supported the Indian National Congress, and attended its early sessions.
• He died on 9 October 1892.

His views on the economy:

He criticised the economic exploitation of India by the British, and urged the use of Indian goods (an early idea of swadeshi).

Other reformers of Maharashtra:

• Jotirao Phule founded the Satyashodhak Samaj, and worked for the lower castes and women.
• Mahadev Govind Ranade was a founder of the Prarthana Samaj and the Widow Remarriage Association.
• Gopal Ganesh Agarkar was a rationalist reformer and editor of "Sudharak".

Why not the other options?

• ✗"Lokmanya" was the title of Tilak, and "Mahatma" was the title of Gandhi (and also of Phule); "Deshbhakta" is not his title.