Ramchandra Mhalgi (later called Rambhau) was born on 9th July 1921 in a well-to-do agricultural family in Pune district in the western Indian state of Maharashtra. The 4th child of Kashinathpant and Saraswatibai, Ramchandra lost his mother at the age of 11. After passing the final exam in school, he joined the Saraswati Mandir School at Pune and passed 3 standards in one academic year. He also cleared the matriculation exam in first class in the year 1939.
Ramchandra’s contact with RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) dates back to his school days. After matriculation, instead of staying back for further studies, he went to Kerala, as ‘Rambhau’ an RSS pracharak (a full-time social worker). Later, he returned to Pune for graduation, responding to the wish of the then second RSS Chief (Sarsanghchalak), Golwalkar Guruji.