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Justice Mahadev Govind Ranade (16 January 1842–16 January 1901) was an Indian judge, author, and reformer.
With his friends Dr Atmaram Pandurang, Bal Mangesh Wagle and Vaman Abaji Modak, Ranade founded the Prarthana Samaj, a Hindu movement inspired by the Brahmo Samaj, espousing principles of enlightened theism based on the ancient Vedas.Ranade belonged to an orthodox Chitpavan Brahman family. He was born in Niphad and spent much of his childhood in Kolhapur where his father was a minister. Upon the death of his first wife, his reform-minded friends expected him to marry (and thereby rescue) a widow. However, he adhered to his family's wishes and married a child bride, Ramabai Ranade, whom he subsequently provided with an education. After his death, she continued his social and educational reform work.