mahatma j. phule

Jotirao Govindrao Phule was born in Satara district of Maharastra in a family belonging to mali caste[citation needed], a caste perceived to be inferior caste by certain sections of the society. His father, Govindrao, was a vegetable vendor, and his mother died when he was 9 months old. After completing his primary education, Jotirao had to leave school and help his father by working on the family's farm. He was married at the age of 12. His intelligence was recognised by a Muslim and a Christian neighbor, who persuaded his father to allow Jotirao to attend the local Scottish Mission's High School, which he completed in 1847. The turning point in Jotiba's life was in year 1848, when he was insulted by family members of his friend, a bridegroom for his participation in the marriage procession, an auspicious occasion. Jotiba was suddenly facing the divide created by the caste system.[1] Influenced by Thomas Paine books Rights of, Phule developed a keen sense of social justice, becoming passionately critical of the Indian caste system. He argued that education of women and the lower castes was a vital priority in addressing social inequalities.