Abstract

Mahatma Jyotiba Phule (1827-1890) is a pivotal figure in Indias social justice movement whose contributions laid foundational principles for the struggle against caste discrimination and socio-economic inequalities. As an activist educator and reformer Phule challenged the entrenched social hierarchies of 19th-century India advocating for the rights of marginalized communities including women and lower-caste individuals. Phules work was characterized by his commitment to education as a means of social upliftment. He established the first school for girls in India and sought to provide education to the underprivileged breaking the traditional barriers that restricted their access to knowledge. His seminal work Gulamgiri (Slavery) critiques the caste system and the exploitation of the lower castes highlighting his vision of a more equitable society. The abstract explores Phule’s role in shaping the social justice discourse in India examining his influence on subsequent reform movements a