Krantiguru Lahuji Raghoji Salve (14 November 1794 – 17 February 1881), was an Indian Great social reformer, activist and freedom fighter.
[3] He learnt wrestling from his father and he became an expert wrestler, which eventually earned him the title of 'Vastad' (or master) and he also owned a gymnasium at Ganj peth in Pune.
Some of the most prominent revolutionaries of that time visited the gymnasium notably Jyotiba Phule, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Vasudev Balwant Phadke, Sadashivrao Paranjpe, Moro Vithal Walvekar.
Lahuji not only taught them martial arts but also acted as a mentor preaching the need for Indian freedom from British Raj and the upliftment of Untouchables.
The Dhangar army, under the leadership of Lahuji Vastad, fought against the oppressive regimes and helped protect the local communities.