Mahatma Jyotirao Phule (1827-1890) And The Struggle For Dalit Rights

The 19th-century social reform movement in India was a historic period that played a crucial role in advancing progress, science, human rights, and religious freedom in Indian society. Reformers such as Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Swami Vivekananda, Mahatma Gandhi, Jyotirao Phule and others dedicated their lives to the promotion of education, women’s rights, child welfare, religious, political reform and the upliftment of the marginalized Dalit community. Among these reformers, Jyotirao Phule of Maharashtra held a distinctive position. He was an outspoken critic of caste-based discrimination and placed special emphasis on the dignity and rights of women. He believed that “Every individual should seek the truth and shape themselves accordingly, as only then can human society be truly happy.” He also stated that “British rule provided an opportunity for the common people to free themselves from Brahmanical oppression.” Phule, along with his followers, established the Satyashodhak Samaj (Society of Truth Seekers) with the aim of securing equal rights for the lower castes and improving the conditions of the oppressed sections of society. This paper examines how Jyotirao Phule dedicated his life to the struggle for the social dignity of Dalits and analyses the lasting impact of his contributions on Indian social reform.