Jyotirao Govindrao Phule (11 April 1827 - 28 November 1890) was an Indian social activist, a thinker, anti-caste social reformer and a writer from Maharashtra. His work extended to many fields including eradication of untouchability and the caste system, women's emancipation and the reform of Hindu family life. On 24 September 1873, Phule, along with his followers, formed the Satyashodhak Samaj (Society of Seekers of Truth) to attain equal rights for people from lower castes.