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• The Poona Sarvajanik Sabha was founded on April 2, 1870, in Pune to represent Indian interests and act as a bridge between people and colonial government.
• It was established under the leadership of Mahadev Govind Ranade along with key associates like Ganesh Vasudeo Joshi, S.H. Sathe, and S.H. Chiplonkar.
• The organisation functioned on democratic principles with elected members, ensuring representation of various social groups including professionals, landowners, and educated middle-class citizens.
• It actively addressed public grievances and promoted civil rights by submitting petitions and engaging with British authorities on governance and administrative issues.
• The Sabha strongly supported peasants and opposed unjust colonial laws related to forests, salt, and press, advocating protection of rural interests.
• It promoted political awareness through meetings, lectures, and its quarterly journal, helping spread education, unity, and national consciousness among Indians.
• The organisation contributed to social welfare by conducting famine relief operations and establishing arbitration courts for resolving civil disputes efficiently.
• The Sabha played a crucial role in laying the foundation for India's national movement and influenced the formation of the Indian National Congress in 1885.