Dhondo Keshav Karve | |
|---|---|
 Karve on a 1958 stamp of India | |
| Born | 18 April 1858 |
| Died | 9 November 1962 (aged 104) Pune, Maharashtra, India |
| Occupations |
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| Spouse(s) | Radhabai and Godubai |
| Children | 3, including Raghunath Karve |
| Awards | Bharat Ratna (1958) Padma Vibhushan (1955) |
Dhondo Keshav Karve (18 April 1858 – 9 November 1962) (), popularly known as Maharshi Karve, was a social reformer in India in the field of women's welfare. He advocated widow remarriage, and he himself remarried a widow as a widower. Karve was a pioneer in promoting widows' education. He founded the first women's university in India, the SNDT Women's University in 1916.[1] The Government of India awarded him with the highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, in 1958, the year of his 100th birthday. He organized a conference against the practice of devdasi. He started 'Anath balikashram' an orphanage for girls. His intention was to give education to all women and make them stand on their own feet. Through his efforts, the first women university was set up in 20th century.
The appellation Maharshi, which the Indian public often assigned to Karve, means "a great sage".
- ^ "Remembering Maharshi Karve, the man who set up India's first university for women". India Today. Retrieved 21 May 2023.