---
title: "Who founded the Depressed Classes Mission of India?"  
description: "Who founded the Depressed Classes Mission of India?"  
author: "Eshan Rathaur"  
published: 2018-03-11  
canonical: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/39501/who-founded-the-depressed-classes-mission-of-india  
category: "general knowledge"  
tags: ["general knowledge"]  
reading_time: 2 minutes  

---

# Who founded the Depressed Classes Mission of India?

Who founded the Depressed Classes [Mission](https://www.mindstick.com/news/4150/isro-s-shukrayaan-greenlit-venus-mission-to-study-weather-and-atmosphere) of [India](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/336618/top-10-electric-bicycles-in-india-in-2024-to-improve-your-health)?

## Answers

### Answer by Biswajeet Bhattacharya

![Who founded the Depressed Classes Mission of India?](https://answers.mindstick.com/questionanswer/2f2870a1-3323-48b1-a71d-552f01f6c1e1/images/09f19660-8694-4086-8e53-33ad7755be1e.jpeg)

(Depressed Classes Mission)

The Depressed Class Mission was founded by **Maharshi Vitthal Ramji Shinde**. The Depressed Classes Mission of India was founded on **18th October 1906** to provide education to the **Dalits** so that the concept of untouchability can be abolished from the country. The **main purpose** of this organization was to remove untouchability, providing education to the untouchables, solving the social problems of the Dalits and to start schools and hospitals for the untouchables.

![Who founded the Depressed Classes Mission of India?](https://answers.mindstick.com/questionanswer/2f2870a1-3323-48b1-a71d-552f01f6c1e1/images/8417b22e-bbc0-489e-a59f-72ecc29743af.jpeg)

(Maharshi Vitthal Ramji Shinde)

**Maharshi Vitthal Ramji Shinde** was born on **23rd April 1873** in the princely state of **Jamkhandi** in **Karnataka, India**. Influenced by a liberal family environment Maharshi Vitthal Ramji Shinde was a member of a **Marathi** speaking **Maharashtrian** family. Prior to **India’s independence**, Maharshi Vitthal Ramji Shinde was one of the most prominent liberal thinkers and social and religious reformers in Maharashtra, India. Maharshi Vitthal Ramji Shinde received his degree **(Bachelor of Arts)** from the **Fergusson College** at **Pune, Maharashtra India**. He was influenced by the writings of **Herbert Spencer, Max Muller** and **John Stuart Mill**. Maharshi Vitthal Ramji Shinde joined the **Prarthana Samaj** in the year **1898** where he was influenced by **Justice Mahadev Govinda Ranade, Sir Ramakrishna Gopal Bhandarkar, Shivrampant Gokhle, G.B. Kotkar** and **K.B. Marathe**. Maharshi Vitthal Ramji Shinde was selected to go to **England** in **1901** by Prarthna Samaj to study comparative religion at **Manchester College, Oxford, England**. After returning from England, Maharshi Vitthal Ramji Shinde devoted his life for the abolition of untouchability. Maharshi Vitthal Ramji Shinde also founded **Murali Pratibandhak Sabha** in year **1910**. He also helped pass a resolution in the year **1917** by the **Indian National Congress** against the practice of untouchability. Maharshi Vitthal Ramji Shinde was also part of the **Civil Disobedience** movement in the year **1930** for which he was also imprisoned for **six months**. Maharshi Vitthal Ramji Shinde passed away on **2nd January 1944**.

![Who founded the Depressed Classes Mission of India?](https://answers.mindstick.com/questionanswer/2f2870a1-3323-48b1-a71d-552f01f6c1e1/images/9de41887-b07f-4b59-bdd6-362f2fcea9a4.jpeg)\


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