Mahadev Govind Ranade Biography

Mahadev Govind Ranade was an Indian social reformer, a distinguished scholar and founding member of Indian National Congress. He was among the foremost reformers who denounced the caste system and untouchability. He advocated social reforms such as widow re-marriage, liberation of women and emancipation of the oppressed classes. As a judge, he exercised his powers to promote equality of the sexes, the spread of education, rescuing children and widows from social injustices, and protection of agricultural workers and land tenants from exploitation. He always advocated the use of constitutional and legal ways for attaining freedom and bringing in social reforms. Later, he became involved in the working of a number of institutions aiming at social, economic and political advancement of India such as the Poona Sarvajanik Sabha, the Social Conference, Industrial Conference and the Prarthana Samaj. As a founder member of the Indian National Congress, his influence was inescapable. He was also considered to be a great historian who played a decisive role in the modernization of the Indian economy. He also published books on Indian economics and on Maratha history. He considered Western education as a vital element for the formation of a new and progressive India. A reformer, lover of justice and a believer of equality among all, he inspired many other Indian social reformers through his works.