Baba Raghav Das (12 December 1896 – 15 January 1958), popularly known as the Gandhi of Poorvanchal, was an Indian guru, freedom fighter, reformer, philosopher, member of parliament, and an activist.

[2] Baba Raghav Das was born on 12 December 1896, to a rich Pachhapurkar Brahman family[3][circular reference] in Pune, Maharastra.

After this he became the successor of the Gaadi (Seat) of Anant Mahaprabhu and founded the Paramhansh Ashram at Barhaj.

[3][circular reference][6] During 1923–1924, Gandhi insisted that keeping some amount of hand spun Khadi was a pre-qualification of membership in the Indian National Congress.

[2] Raghavdas' Ashram in Barah was the epicenter of independence activities including the provision of shelter for many freedom fighters.

[8] He arranged a public meeting to spread awareness about the independence movement and social reforms.

[citation needed] In 1948, 13 MLAs from UP legislative assembly, who had socialistic leanings resigned from Congress.

Raghavdas opposed the measure, citing Kolhu as a source of employment for poor and oppressed people and in protest resigned from the Legislative Assembly.

He was sympathetic to the sufferings of people afflicted by leprosy and, inspired by Gandhi, established a Leper House at Gorakhpur and Mairwa Bihar.