Satyashodhak Samaj & RSS
The Modern Rationalist|March 2018

After the end of Peshwa – Brahmin rule in today’s Western Maharashtra, English rule began and it was through a war in 1818 at a place near Pune – Bhima Koregaon, Peshwa army was defeated by English army unit the Mahar regiment. Thus Peshwa rule was defeated through Mahar Caste (Untouchables) regiment by the British. In a way it was revenge by Mahars – who were treated worse than animals during Peshwas rule. The Mahar battalion was under British army.

Nagesh Chaudhari
Satyashodhak Samaj & RSS

Dr. Ambedkar used to visit this place every year on 1st January since 1926 as that was the date on which Peshwa rule came to end. The English started their rein and the culture of governing was changed. Untouchables and Shudras were stopped treating inhumanly unlike Peshwa rule. Jotirao Phule was born in 1827 after 9 years of end of Peshwa rule. It was a transitory period. Peshwa culture being eroded, ruling culture being eliminated by the British rulings.

Phule was a witness to this change. Brahmanic hold on the society started waning. He was experiencing the hold of Brahmins on the society at grass root level. He was witnessing the plight of untouchables, peasants and lower castes (Shudras and adi-Shudras) the terms he used for backward castes and untouchables and which were created by Brahmins.

He came its contact of English person and was helped to learn. He learnt English. His mind was perturbed by seeing the plight of people even during the initial years of British rule.

Further, he started writing against the Brahmanic hold. He wrote ballad in praise of Shivaji calling him peasant’s king and representative of Bahujans. Subsequently, he exposed continuous Brahmanic aggression throughout the history through his book ‘Gulalmgiri’ (Slavery) ‘Whipcord of Peasants’, Brahmins Treachery (Brahmananche Kasab), etc and ultimately founding of the Satya Shodhak Samaj (Truth Seeker’s Society) in 1873.

It was the turning point there was overall movement against Brahmanic hold, right from challenging their scriptures. He denounced all the Brahmanic scriptures right form Vedas to Smurtis to Puranas. Ramayana to Mahabharata and even Geeta. He challenged supremacy of Brahmins and very foundation of the caste system.

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