Vasudeo Balvant Phadke was deeply affected by the suffering of the people during the severe Deccan famine of 1876-77, which he attributed to British policies. He organized armed resistance, drawing inspiration from Hindu nationalist ideas and Shivaji Maharaj, reflecting Hindu revivalism. The concept of economic exploitation by the British, later formalized as the Drain of Wealth theory by Dadabhai Naoroji, was a significant element in nationalist discourse and motivated many, including Phadke, to oppose British rule. Jyotirao Phule was a prominent social reformer focusing on caste inequalities and education, while Phadke's primary focus was on overthrowing British political rule through armed struggle. Their approaches were different.