Satyashodhak Samaj of 1873: Foundation, Vision, and Legacy

In the nineteenth century, the Satyashodhak Samaj (Truth-Seekers’ Society) was an important social reform movement organized by lower castes and the Shudra class. The Satyashodhak Samaj was founded by Jyotiba Phule on September 24, 1873, in Pune, Maharashtra.

Jyotiba Phule also known as Jyotirao Phule was born on April 11, 1827, in Pune into the Mali (Shudra) community; hence, the main objective of all his social reform work was to improve the condition of lower communities, especially the Shudra community.

He condemned the Chaturvarna System because lower-class people suffered severe discrimination and oppression in social, economic, political, and cultural spheres. He established Satyashodhak Samaj to fight against caste-based discrimination and inequality. He was given the title of “Mahatma” in 1888 for his numerous social services and reforms, including women’s education for all castes, widow remarriage, establishment of orphanages, etc.

Jyotirao Govindrao Phule‘s wife Savitribai Phule, was the head of the women’s section of this Samaj. She even encouraged Western education among all women and motivated them to participate in various reform activities. In the 1930s, when the leaders of Satyashodhak Samaj began joining the Indian National Congress Party, the Samaj gradually began to disintegrate.

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Reasons for Establishing Satyashodhak Samaj

• One of the main reasons for establishing Satyashodhak Samaj was to eliminate the widespread social injustice and discrimination against lower caste people by upper castes. In traditional Hindu society, people of lower castes were victims of superstition and low social status due to the caste system. Satyashodhak Samaj was formed to challenge Brahminical dominance in various social spheres, including religion, administration, and education.
• Jyotirao Phule and other founders of Satyashodhak Samaj strived to change the oppressive social customs and practices against lower castes and address all problems within the lower communities. They wanted to eliminate the inherent inequality and discrimination of the caste system. The organization aimed to spread education and knowledge among lower castes, especially the Shudras. Phule believed that education would make these lower communities mentally strong and empower them to oppose the oppressive social structure. For these reasons, Mahatma Jyotirao Phule established this Samaj on September 24, 1873.

Main Objectives of Satyashodhak Samaj

Jyotirao Phule formed an organization called “Satyashodhak Samaj” for the benefit of all oppressed lower caste people. The main objective of this organization was to protect the interests of lower castes and backward people. In the first three years, this organization had 300 members. Satyashodhak Samaj became vocal against Brahminical dominance. The leadership of this society is composed of lower-class people. The mouthpiece of this Samaj was Dinmitra.

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Formation of Satyashodhak Samaj

• Jyotirao Phule was born in 1827 in a Mali family and received education in a Christian missionary school. After completing his education, he and his wife focused on how to expand educational opportunities for lower-caste communities.
• Jyotirao Phule started Satyashodhak Samaj to fight against the rigid, irrational Brahminical system and unjust caste system. He questioned those Brahmins who considered themselves representatives of God and presented themselves as bearers of supreme truth.
• The ideology of Vedic culture, Upanishads, and activities of Prarthana Samaj, Arya Samaj, and Poona Sarvajanik Sabha were all rejected by this Samaj. This was because he couldn’t place strong faith in these organizations. Therefore, he established Satyashodhak Samaj himself so that lower caste people could gain equal rights in society like the upper castes.
• After Jyotirao Phule’s death, Shahu Maharaj, the Maratha ruler of the princely state of Kolhapur, along with other Maratha leaders, namely Bhaurao Patil, Nana Patil, Keshavrao Jedhe, Madhavrao Bagal, and Khanderao Bagal, continued the movement’s legacy.
• Caste diversity was a distinctive feature of this Samaj. The leaders and a sizable membership were from the Mali group, a sizable farming community in Maharashtra. Members of numerous other castes, including Shali, Mahar, Shimpi, Kumbhar, Muslim, and Bhanjari, were also part of this group.
• Professional diversity was also observed among the members of Satyashodhak Samaj. A large portion of the members worked as contractors and businessmen in the business sector. Others worked in government service, such as clerks, head writers, police inspectors, and even the Deputy Collector was there. Some were professionals like doctors and lawyers. Students from lower-income families also joined Satyashodhak Samaj while continuing their education, and some students even carried out the activities of this samaj while enrolled in matriculation, engineering school, and other educational programs.

Key Leaders of Satyashodhak Samaj

• The founder and driving force behind The Samaj, Jyotirao Phule, influenced its ideology and direction.
• Krishnarao Bhalekar was an independent thinker and a key player in the Samaj’s leadership dispute.
• For a year, Vishram Ramji Gholay led the Samaj and vigorously backed various initiatives, including educational ones.
• Narayan Meghaji Lokhande was a well-known debater and activist who supported the goals of the society that prioritized workers and their issues.
• Ramayya Vyankayya Ayyavaru was a member of the Telugu Mali community in Bombay and a pioneer of the social and religious reform movement. He contributed to the founding of the Samaj’s Bombay chapter.

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Activities of Satyashodhak Samaj

• Jyotirao Phule was committed to spreading Western education among lower castes, especially those considered Shudras. Through the activities of Satyashodhak Samaj, Jyotirao Phule’s objective was to make education accessible to Shudras and increase awareness about education among them.
• He was a loyal supporter of British rule. He believed that the British came to India to protect Shudras from Brahminical oppression. Jyotirao Phule even thought that spreading English education among Shudras was extremely important. Through Western education, lower-class people would become aware of protecting their rights.
• This Satyashodhak Samaj had a printing press, through which pamphlets were published describing the purpose of forming this Samaj and the various problems faced by Shudra people in society due to Brahmin dominance.

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Criticism of Satyashodhak Samaj

• The Brahmin community was the highest in the Chaturvarna System prevalent in Indian society. Satyashodhak Samaj criticized these conservative and oppressive Brahmins the most through its activities. However, a particular critic, Vishnushashtri Chiplunkar, argued that Brahmins always respected lower-caste individuals. He claimed that Brahmins respected great saints and sages who were born in the lowest castes and elevated to respectable positions due to their merit. He further argued that through Satyashodhak Samaj, Jyotirao Phule tried to discredit Brahmins to gain advantages from the British colonial government while acquiring some minor rights for the Shudra community and lower-class women.
• Therefore, criticizing this Samaj, Brahmins said that Phule was trying to create a new religion through this society’s formation, and it lacked moral or theological purpose. Brahmins also questioned the religious framework of Satyashodhak Samaj, emphasizing that Phule’s claims for the lower-class community lacked consistency and harmony.
• However, the above arguments were flawed because, through the formation of this Samaj, it was later seen that Western education developed among the lower communities and women, and they became self-aware and self-reliant. They even participated in the anti-British struggle for their rights.

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