MH Social Reformers
1812–1846
Balshastri Jambhekar
“Father of Marathi Journalism”
- Profession: 1st Indian Asst. Prof at Elphinstone College.
Subject: Maths & Science - Newspapers:
Darpan (1832) – 1st Marathi Digdarshan (1840) – Science*Darpan was bilingual (Eng/Mar)
- Institutions:
• Founded Bombay Native General Library.
• Started Native Improvement Society. - Major Event: Shripati Sheshadri Case (Fought for readmission of converted boy to Hinduism).
1849 • Maharashtra
Paramhans Mandali
Dadoba Pandurang & Mehtaji Durgaram
- Founders: Dadoba Pandurang, Mehtaji Durgaram.
- Link: Connected to Manav Dharma Sabha.
- Core Belief: Real religion = Love & Moral conduct.
Monotheism (One God). - Aims: Widow remarriage, Women’s education, Against caste rigidity.
Pune
Servants of India Society
Founder: G.K. Gokhale
- Founder: G.K. Gokhale (Helped by M.G. Ranade).
- Goal: To prepare a cadre of selfless workers devoted to serving the country.
- Key Note: The Society remained aloof from political activities (INC).
- Successor: Srinivas Shastri.
“Lokhitawadi”
Gopalhari Deshmukh
Judge under British
- Titles: Known as “Lokhitawadi”. Author of Shatapatree.
- Journalism:
Prabhakar Gyan Prakash Indu Prakash
- Stance: Anti-caste, Pro-Equality.
“If Religion does not sanction social reforms, then change Religion.”
Rationalist
Gopal Ganesh Agarkar
Educationist & Journalist
- Co-founder: Fergusson College, Deccan Education Society.
- Journalism:
• 1st Editor of Kesari.
• Started Sudharak. - Ideology: Advocated Power of Human Reason.
Gandhi’s Guru
G.K. Gokhale
Political Leader
- Institutions: Est. Ranade Institute of Economics.
- Titles: “Political Guru of Gandhi”.
- Journalism:
Hitavada (English) Sarvajanik Sabha
Social Reformer
Karsondas Mulji
Journalist
- Role: Editor of Satya Prakash.
- Significance: A key figure in social reform movements in Western India, often advocating against orthodox practices.
Reforms: Other States
1911 • Bombay
Social Service League
Narayan Malhar Joshi
- Founder: N.M. Joshi.
(He also founded AITUC in 1920) - Goal: To secure better conditions of life and work for the masses.
- Focus: Labor welfare, hygiene, and social purity.
1908 • Bombay
Seva Sadan
B.M. Malabari & Dayaram Gidumal
- Founders: Behramji M. Malabari + Dayaram Gidumal.
- Newspaper:
The Spectator
Malabari was a champion of women’s suffrage. - Key Legislation: Efforts led to the Age of Consent Act, 1891.
- Mission:
• Care for exploited/discarded Indian women.
• Against child marriage & for widow remarriage.
1887 • Lahore
Dev Samaj
Shivnarayan Agnihotri
- Founder: Shivnarayan Agnihotri.
- Sacred Text: Teachings compiled in Deva Shastra.
- Philosophy:
• Eternity of the soul.
• Supremacy of the Guru.
• Need for Good Action. - Social Stance: Strictly against child marriage.
1861 • Agra
Radhaswami Movement
Tulsi Ram (Shiv Dayal Saheb)
- Founder: Tulsi Ram (known as Shiv Dayal Saheb).
- Core Beliefs:
• One Supreme Being.
• Supremacy of the Guru.
• Satsang (Company of pious people). - Lifestyle: Emphasized a simple life without detaching from worldly duties.