SATYA SHODHAK SAMAJ

Background of society:

The socio-religious reform movements of the nineteenth century were led by the upper-caste Hindus, who condemned the Lower caste system and untouchability. But they achieved only limited success. Several factors and forces in the nineteenth and twentieth century’s created class consciousness among the lower castes who took upon themselves to struggle for upliftment from socio economic religious activities .

Satya Shodhak Samaj: Concept, Goal, Ideology:-

Satya Shodhak Samaj was a social movement (Truth seeking society)

Which is for creating a new social system through eradicating the old social system. Developing and creating consciousness among the downtrodden peoples to against the hegemony of Brahmanisation.

Satya Shodhak Samaj is a religion established by Jyotiba Phule on 24^th September 1873 .The main objective of this organization was to liberate the shudras and prevent them from exploitation and atrocities also ensure social justice for the weaker sections of the society. Phule and his followers totally rejected Vedic tradition of Aryan heritage and regarded Aryans as conquerors and destroyers of the indigenous non Aryan Culture and he also put vigorous attack on the Vedas.

Phule argued and make fun about that ridiculous those who believed in the absorb stories narrated by Brahmin authors. Satya Shodhak samaj also attacked the Brahmin priests who insisted on acting as intermediate between god and devotees. Samaj opposed that bureaucracy dominated by Brahmins that he believes there were chance for misleading the white rulers and that should be replaced by non Brahmins. He was also critical Indian National Congress for neglecting the weaker sections

Hence Satya Shodhak movement continued to emphasize the role of education in facilitating the social change. phule requested people to spend some money to buy books for knowing about reality .The movement in 19^th century was an essentially socio –religious movement that was transformed by Sahu Chatrapati into a powerful non Brahmin movement which sought to bring a change into a power structure 

Leadership:

Satya Shodhak Samaj was established by Jyotiba Phule and his followers. Phule was the first president and treasurer of this samaj. He firstly gives education to his wife and makes campaign for education for the lower caste peoples.

Phule and his wife savithribhai were the pioneers of womens education in India.

Savithribahi Become the head of the women’s section which include ninety female members .after the Death of Jyotiba phule his spiritual followers took initiate to spread the messages to the remotest area of the Maharashtra and other place. Shahu Maharaj, the ruler of Kolhapur princely state, gave a lot of financial and moral support. In 1930 samaj was merged with congress party.

“Jyotiba phule is regarded as the one of the most important figure social reform movement in Maharashtra”

Dhanjay keer His biographer notes that jyotiba phule the father of Indian Social Revolution.

Social change:

All these backward caste movements have created a kind of social awareness leading to legal abolition of many castes based evils in the society. Thus satya shodhak Samaj also make social changes like Upliftment of women and widow remarriage, womens education etc…