Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil (1887-1959) founded the Rayat Shikshan Sanstha in 1919 at the village Kale in Satara district. Mahatma Phule and Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj were role models before him.Realizing the need of spread of education for the masses,he started schools and hostels in villages ,Training colleges ,Voluntary Primary Schools ,Secondary Schools and finally colleges at Taluka places.His work proceeded in that order answering the needs of the lower strata of society.He had his own vision and educational philosophy which comprised education for all, regardless of his /her financial status .Education through self- help was his magic mantra which revolutionized the rural Maharashtra. The students got education through manual labour which was a special feature of the RayatShikshanSanstha.The hostels offered life together with students of different religious orientations which automatically eradicated the distinctions and helped create a sense of solidarity between them. Karmaveer created many selfless workers, many of whom assumed responsibilities as Life Workers. The Sanstha is, till date, run by the employees who are essentially its office

Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, rightly called “prince among men and man among princes “,was an important influence on the work of KarmaveerBhaurao Patil ,the founder of the RayatShikshansanstha.The state of Kolhapur became an example of the efforts of ShahuMaharaj.His reforms in various fields such as Agriculture ,Education ,Industry,Fine Arts and social upliftment created the solid foundation for the structure of Modern Maharashtra
The Radhanagri Dam,the ShahuMill,theKhasbag Arena ,Hostels for students of various communities in DasraChawk,Kolhapur are among the landmark achievements of this great ruler.Bhaurao had seen the reforms in Kolhapur during his stay as a student at the royal palace .Seeking inspiration from the great king ,he drew and perfected his own agenda which he was to implement through his own Sanstha. He started his own Hostel wherein students , regardless of their castes and religions ,were to live together under the same roof. This hostel functioning from 1924 was named Shri Chhatrapati Shahu Boarding House in 1927 at the hands of Mahatma Gandhi during his visit