Phule founds the Satyashodhak Samaj

A society of truth-seekers for the equal rights of lower castes and women.

Key points for UPSC

• Jyotirao Phule founded the Satyashodhak Samaj in Poona on 24 September 1873 to fight caste discrimination.
• His book Gulamgiri (1873) compared caste oppression with slavery.
• With Savitribai Phule he had opened a school for girls in Poona in 1848.

Who was involved

• Jyotirao Phule · founding the Satyashodhak Samaj

Test yourself

1. 1. Who wrote Gulamgiri?

   • (a) Jyotirao Phule
   • (b) B. R. Ambedkar
   • (c) Periyar
   • (d) Narayana Guru
   Show answer

   (a) Jyotirao Phule. Phule wrote Gulamgiri in 1873.

2. 2. The Satyashodhak Samaj worked mainly for:

   • (a) Equal rights for lower castes and women
   • (b) Revival of Vedic rituals
   • (c) Swadeshi trade
   • (d) Muslim education
   Show answer

   (a) Equal rights for lower castes and women. It challenged caste hierarchy and promoted education.

3. 3. Jyotirao and Savitribai Phule opened a school for girls in:

   • (a) Poona
   • (b) Bombay
   • (c) Calcutta
   • (d) Madras
   Show answer

   (a) Poona. They started it in Poona in 1848.