Mahadev Govind Ranade, also popularly known as M G Ranade and Justice Ranade was born on January 18, 1842. His birthplace is Niphad, Nashik, in the Indian state of Maharashtra. M.G. Ranade was a prominent Indian scholar, judge of the Bombay High Court, author, and social reformer. Most importantly, he played a key role in the formation of the Indian National Congress. Every year, India celebrates the birth anniversary of Mahadev Govind Ranade on 18 January. In this blog, we will explore the life, achievements, and major contributions of Mahadev Govind Ranade.
Table of Contents
Full Name | Rao Bahadur Mahadev Govind Ranade |
Other names | Justice Ranade, Nyayamurti Ranade, M G Ranade |
Born | 18 January 1842 |
Death | 16 January 1901 |
Education | University of Bombay |
Married to | Ramabai Ranade |
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The Early Life of Mahadev Govind Ranade
- MG Ranade was often referred to as Madhavrao by his friends and family.
- His father worked as a clerk.
- He was married twice, once when he was 12 years old and the second marriage happened when his first wife passed away at the age of 31 years.
- He began his academic career at the age of 14 when he attended the famous Elphinstone College in Bombay (Mumbai) for higher education.
The Early Education of M G Ranade
Mahadev Govind Ranade belonged to a humble Brahmin family. He showed exceptional intellect from an early age. Here are the details about his early life and education:
- Ranade received his early education at Kohlapur and completed higher education in Bombay.
- Interestingly, he was among the first batch of students at the Bombay University who received their bachelor’s degree in 1862.
- Moving on, his thirst for knowledge led him to pursue an LLB from the Government Law School in the year 1866.
- In 1868, he was also appointed as a professor at Elphinstone College of Mumbai.
- After obtaining his LLB degree, Ranade started working as a subordinate judge in Pune in 1871.
- Deeply influenced by the deteriorating conditions of the society. M.G.Ranaded had deep empathy and wanted to bring radical changes to the country.
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MG Ranade Books
Apart from being a social reformer, Mahadev Govind Ranade also wrote numerous books and articles to spread his ideas. He wanted to eliminate the evil practices of society such as child marriage and the shaving of widows’ heads. Instead, he promoted widow marriages and female education in the country. Here are a few of his notable literary works:
- Essays on Indian Economics
- Introduction to the Peishwa’s Diaries
- Note on the Decentralization of Provincial Finance
- Rise of the Maratha Power
Major Contributions of Mahadev Govind Ranade
The major contributions of M.G.Ranade include:
- He was a leading founder of numerous reform societies in India such as Prathana Samaj, Vaktruttvottejak Sabha, and the Poona Sarvajanik Sabha.
- Ranade worked as an editor for a popular Anglo-Marathi daily newspaper, the Induprakash.
- He also established the Maharastra Girls Education Society with the contributions of Dr. R. G. Bhandarkar and Vaman Abaji Modak.
- Additionally, he is also responsible for establishing the oldest Girls’ High School at Huzuroaga in Pune, Maharashtra.
- Mahadev Govind Ranade also gave the motto of the Indian Social Reform Movement of “Humanize, Equalize, and Spiritualize”.
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Legacy of Mahadev Govind Ranade
Mahadev Govind Ranade was famously known as the Socrates of Maharashtra. After working tirelessly for the upliftment of females in society and eradicating old practices, he left a remembering legacy for the people of India.
- Mahadev Govind Ranade passed away on 16 January 1901.
- Upon this unfortunate demise, his wife continued his social and educational reform work and continued his dream to transform India.
- A full-size marble statue of Mahadev Govind Ranade has been placed near Churchgate station. It is created by sculptor Ganpatrao K Mhatre.
- Numerous influential people of the country paid their tribute to him such as Lokmanya Tilak.
- Unch Majha Zaka (roughly translated as My Swing Flies High), a popular television series has been made based on the life of Ramabai and Mahadev.
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FAQs
Mahadev Govind Ranade was born on January 18, 1842. Born in Niphad, Nashik, in the Indian state of Maharashtra, he is also known as Justice Ranade. Moreover, he was an Indian scholar, a social reformer, a notable author, and among all, one of the founding members of the Indian National Congress.
During his lifetime, MG Ranade was associated with numerous notable achievements and works. For instance, the Poona Sarvajanik Sabha was also established by Ranade along with the companionship of G. V. Joshi on 2nd April 1870. This notable establishment provided multiple prominent leaders to the Indian freedom struggle such as Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
M G Ranade, also known as Mahadev Govind Ranade is regarded as the father of renaissance of western India.
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