Jyoti Rao Phule founded the Satyashodhak Samaj in 1873. The leadership oftheSamaj came from the backward classes, namely, he Malis, Telis, Kunbis and Satis. Phule himself was a mali (gardener). He primarily aimed at social service and spread of education among women and lower caste people.
Brahmins opposed the movement as; it challenged ‘their supremacy. Phule also aimed at complete abolition of the caste system and socio-economic inequalities. He was against Sanskritic Hinduism Critics contend that Phule focussed on cultural and ethnic factors along ignoring the economic and political ones. They argue that his was essentially an anti-brahmin movement. It was a sort of Cultural Revolution.