Mahadev Govind Ranade Biography / महादेव गोविंद रानाडे की जीवनी

Govind Ranade was a great social and religious reformer of the 19th century. He is always remembered for spreading awareness about education and its history in the country. Mahadev Govind Ranade is popularly known as Justice Ranade.

He was a famous nationalist, social reformer, scholar and jurist of India. He is called “Socrates of Maharashtra”. Prarthana Samaj, Arya Samaj and Brahmo Samaj had a great influence on his life. Govind Ranade was one of the founders of ‘Deccan Educational Society’. He also supported the establishment of ‘Indian National Congress’.

Birth and Life Introduction:

Justice Ranade was born on January 18, 1842, in the staunch Chitpavan Brahmin family of Niphad town of Nashik in Maharashtra. His childhood was spent in Kolhapur, his father was a minister. After the death of his first wife, his social reformist friends wanted him to marry a widow, but Ranade, taking care of the family’s wishes, married a girl child, Ramabai Ranade, and educated her. Ramabai carried forward his work after Ranade’s death.

महादेव गोविंद रानाडे की जीवनी

Education:

Ranade’s early education took place in Marathi school in Kolhapur and at the age of 14, he went to study at Elphistone College in Bombay. He was a student of the first batch of Bombay University. In 1862, he obtained BA and then four years later, an LLB degree in first class.

Political Activity:

Mahadev Govind Ranade supported the establishment of the ‘Indian National Congress’ and participated in its first Mumbai session of 1885 AD. He believed that the social, political, economic and religious progress of man were interdependent. Therefore, there should be such a comprehensive reformist movement, which is helpful in the all-around progress of man. He was a supporter of Swadeshi and emphasized the use of goods manufactured in the country. The unity of the country was paramount for him. He had said- “Every Indian should understand that first I am Indian and later Hindu, Christian, Parsi, Muslim etc.

As a social reformer:

Ranade always tried for social reform. For which education was considered important. From religious reform to public education, he wanted to see a progressive reform in every aspect of Indian families. He was totally opposed to the orthodox traditions and beliefs. He strongly opposed many evils like unnecessary expenses on marriage pomp, child marriage, widow shaving, caste restrictions on traveling across the ocean.

Compositions:

Mahadev Govind Ranade was a great scholar. He had composed many texts, the main of which are-

• widow remarriage
• revenue law
• Biography of Raja Rammohun Roy
• Rise of Marathas
• Religious and Social Reforms