Previous Year Question

Gopal Hari Deshmukh was popularly known by the nick-name ‘Lokhitwadi’.

Gopal Hari Deshmukh was one of the prominent social reformers and thinkers of nineteenth-century Maharashtra. ‘Lokhitwadi’ broadly signifies one who works for public welfare, and it was under this name that his writings on social reform became widely known.

He criticised social orthodoxy, superstition, caste discrimination and the improper influence of the priestly class. He regarded reason, modern education and a scientific outlook as necessary for the progress of society.

Gopal Hari Deshmukh supported women's education and widow remarriage. Lokhitwadi, Vishnu Shastri Pandit and Mahadev Govind Ranade are mentioned among the reformers who actively supported widow remarriage in Maharashtra.

An important medium for spreading his ideas was the Marathi journal Prabhakar. In it, he wrote the series of letters/articles popularly known as Shatapatre, in which he critically discussed the religious, social, economic and political problems of contemporary society.

His concerns were not confined to social questions. He also commented on India's economic condition and economic exploitation under British rule and emphasised the need to promote Indian industries.

Mahadev Govind Ranade, Jyotiba Phule and Bal Gangadhar Tilak were also important reformers or nationalist leaders of Maharashtra, but the nick-name ‘Lokhitwadi’ specifically belonged to Gopal Hari Deshmukh.