Jyotiba Phule was given the title of 'Mahatma'.

On May 11, 1888, Jyotiba Phule was given the title of ‘Mahatma’ (Great Soul) by Maharashtrian social activist Vithalrao Krishnaji Vandekar.

The title was bestowed at a public meeting in Mandvi, Mumbai, to honor his tireless efforts for the upliftment of women, lower castes, and social reform.

He founded India’s first girls’ school in Pune, established the Satyashodhak Samaj, authored Gulamgiri, and along with his wife Savitribai Phule supported widow remarriage and opened care centres for pregnant widows.
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