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Question 3 of 6 · Socio-Religious Reform Movements
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The Satyashodhak Samaj was founded by:

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Answer: Option D — Jyotirao Phule

Detailed Solution

Mahatma Jyotirao Govindrao Phule (1827-1890) was a social reformer from Maharashtra, born in a family of the Mali (gardener) caste. He worked all his life against caste discrimination, untouchability and the oppression of women.

On 24 September 1873, Phule founded the Satyashodhak Samaj ("Society of Seekers of Truth") in Pune. Its aims were to liberate the lower castes and untouchables from the domination of Brahmin priests, to promote education among them, to give women equal rights, and to perform ceremonies such as marriages without Brahmin priests. The Samaj spread to rural Maharashtra and inspired later anti-caste movements.

Phule's other contributions:

In 1848, with his wife Savitribai Phule, he opened one of the first schools for girls in India, at Bhide Wada in Pune. Savitribai became one of India's first women teachers.

He opened schools for children of the untouchable castes.

He set up a home for widows and their children (Balhatya Pratibandhak Griha, 1863) to prevent infanticide.

He supported widow remarriage.

His most famous book, "Gulamgiri" ("Slavery"), published in 1873, compared the condition of lower castes in India to that of slaves in America, and was dedicated to the people of the USA who fought against slavery. He also wrote "Shetkaryacha Asud" ("Cultivator's Whipcord", 1881), about the plight of peasants.

He was given the title "Mahatma" in 1888 by the social activist Vithalrao Krishnaji Vandekar. Dr B.R. Ambedkar regarded Phule as one of his three gurus, along with the Buddha and Kabir.

Why not the other options?

B.R. Ambedkar founded the Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha (1924).

Narayana Guru founded the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam in Kerala (1903).

Periyar started the Self-Respect Movement in Tamil Nadu (1925).

Quick tip

Remember: Jyotirao Phule = Satyashodhak Samaj (1873, Pune), "Gulamgiri" (1873), first girls' school with Savitribai Phule (1848); SNDP = Narayana Guru; Self-Respect Movement = Periyar.

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Socio-Religious Reform Movements — Preparation

This question tests your understanding of Socio-Religious Reform Movements, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.

In the 19th century, reformers worked to remove social evils and revive Indian society. This topic covers organisations such as the Brahmo Samaj, Arya Samaj, Prarthana Samaj, Ramakrishna Mission, Theosophical Society, Satyashodhak Samaj and the Aligarh Movement, along with their founders and the social reforms they achieved. Questions usually ask who founded an organisation and when, or which reformer is linked to a reform. For example, Raja Ram Mohan Roy founded the Brahmo Samaj and campaigned against sati, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar championed widow remarriage, and Jyotiba Phule founded the Satyashodhak Samaj. A table of organisation, founder, year and place covers most questions. Practise the socio-religious reform movements questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.

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