Low caste protest movements in 19th and 20th century Maharashtra: A study of Jotirao Phule and B.R. Ambedkar

Abstract

This paper seeks to focus on the study of low caste (dalit) protest movements in 19th and 20th century Maharashtra with particular reference to Jotirao Phule and B.R. Ambedkar. For various reasons, which quite possibly include caste prejudice and the dominance of scholarship by Brahmans, this area of study was neglected by scholars. Another factor responsible for the neglect is the fact that dalit leaders took little or no part in the freedom struggle, the struggle to drive the foreign ruler out, but were more interested in protesting against high caste hegemony and exploitation, at times even seeking the active support of the British.