Jyotirao Phule, born in 1827, was the most vocal amongst the “Low-caste” leaders.

• He attacked the Brahmans’ claim of their superiority to others. He argued the Aryans were foreigners, who came from outside the subcontinent.
• They defeated and subjugated the true children of the country and looked at the defeated population as inferior.
• According to Phule, the “upper” castes had no right to their land and power. In reality, the land belonged to the so-called low castes.
• Phule opined that there existed a golden age when warrior-peasants tilled the land and ruled the Maratha countryside in just and fairways.
• He proposed that the Shudras (labouring castes) and Ati Shudras (untouchables) should unite to challenge caste discrimination.
• The Satyashodhak Samaj association founded by Phule propagated caste equality.