Write short note: Prarthana Samaj

Answer: The Prarthana Samaj was a religious and social reform society founded in Mumbai in 1867.

• It was founded by Dr. Atmaram Pandurang; Justice Mahadev Govind Ranade and Dr. R. G. Bhandarkar were its leading members.
• It believed in one God and opposed idol worship, rituals and the caste system.
• It worked for women’s education, widow remarriage and against child marriage.
• It ran night schools, an orphanage and foundling home at Pandharpur, and Vitthal Ramji Shinde started the Depressed Classes Mission (1906) for the upliftment of the untouchables.