Gopal Hari Deshmukh

Indian social reformer who challenged caste and gender norms, advocating for women's education and social justice in 19th century Maharashtra.

Gopal Hari Deshmukh (1823–1881), known as Lokhitwadi, was a radical thinker in colonial India who rejected Brahminical traditions to promote social equality. Born in Pune into a Brahmin family, he renounced his caste privileges and campaigned against child marriage, sati (widow burning), and gender inequality. His newspaper Lokhitvadi (1841–1848) argued for women's right to education and property, influencing leaders like Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule. Deshmukh's 1848 essay On the Condition of Women in India remains a foundational text for feminist scholarship. He also criticized British colonial policies that perpetuated social stratification. Despite being marginalized by orthodox groups, his ideas inspired Maharashtra's women's education movement. Modern scholars like Rosie Llewellyn Jones highlight his role in shaping India's social reform discourse. His legacy is commemorated through the Gopal Hari Deshmukh Foundation, which continues his work in education equity.