Project Title: “Deistic Influence on the socio-religious reformers in western

India In the nineteenth century”

Name of the principal Investigator: Ajaykumar Pralhad Lokhande

Project No: F.23-1363/14 dated 20/02/2015

Period: Two year (2014-16)

Project: Summary and finding

The nineteenth century western India witnessed the rise and growth of various reformative

approaches under the influence of western education. The theism, rationalism and spiritualism

guided the newly educated class to make assessment of the existing religious conditions. The

rationalism became the main force which emphasized the modern concepts of liberty, equality,

fraternity, and spirit of enquiry. The socio-religious reform movement under the influence of

rationalism has paved the way for the development of approaches like theism, agnosticism and

deism. The impact of deism or deistic thoughts must be given due attention for better understanding

movement thoroughly.

Raja Rammohan Roy (1772-1833), Dadoba Pandurang Tarkhadkar (1814-1882) and Mahatma

Jotirao Phule (1827-1891) took the cause of reforming society under the influence of deistic

rationalism. The writings and the deeds of the deist American thinkers like Thomas Paine,

Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson had influenced Jotirao Phule and Tarkhadkar. The

philosophy of deism professes belief in the existence of God as a creator. Deistic attitude is based

on reason. The deist thinkers rejected superstitions, dogmas and rituals and emphasized religious

rationalism. Their rationalistic attitude of these leaders were expressed through the organizations

founded by the.

Roy founded the Brahmo Samaj to bring rationalistic principles in society. Dadoba Pandurang

Tarkhadkar had formed a secret deistic society called Paramhansa Sabha with a view to breaking

down all social barriers and the caste system. Mahatma Jotirao Phule founded Satyashodhak Samaj

to bring the radical changes in society by freeing people form religious orthodoxy.

The Brahmo Samaj, the Paramhansa Sabha and the Satyshodhak samaj shared similar views about

certain aspects such as prohibition on forced widowhood, opposition to polygamy, opposition to

child marriage and disbelief in image worship. These three organizations followed deistic

rationalism in opposition of dogmatism, superstition and blind faith. They promoted rationalism,

spirit of enquiry and assessment of religious scriptures. Their thoughts regarding the concepts of

God, revelations in religion, assessment of scriptures and morality were influenced by the deistic

philosophy. They professed belief in the deistic idea of the creator. They also denied the divinity

of the religious messengers. Deists reject the divinity of religious scriptures on the ground of

rationality. It was inconsistent to believe in the religious text as the gift of God because of two

factors; firstly there was no evidence that it was written by God or assisted by God; secondly, it

justifies cruel things which cannot be accepted on the ground of humanity.

Dadoba denied divine authority of the scriptures and asserted that the final truth is that which

stands the test of reason after a minute scrutiny and especially that which contributes to the welfare

of the people. The Paramhansa Sabha put excessive stress on the morality.

Jotirao Phule promoted rationalistic philosophy with active socio-religious reforms. He worked

for the downtrodden in the society. His wide reading and the impact of rationalism, liberalism and

humanism enabled him to his form own unique religious concepts like Universal Religious

Concepts, Sarvajanik Satyadharma, Nirmik, Truth and his thoughts on human rights. L. S. Bhatkar,

Bhasarrao Jadhav, Dinkarrao Javalkar, Keshvrao Vichare, Shankarrao Jedhe Annasaheb Latthe

and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar were some of the writer, politician and activists who were inspired

by Phule’s ideology of social and religious struggle.

Publication: enclosed herewith