Kanha Ram

A 19th-century Indian social reformer who challenged caste discrimination and promoted education for lower castes, laying the groundwork for modern social justice movements.

Kanha Ram (1828–1898) was a pioneering social reformer from the Indian state of Maharashtra, known for his relentless advocacy against the caste system. Born into the Dalit community, he organized the "Shudra Education Society" in 1851, establishing schools in rural villages to educate marginalized groups. His 1863 manifesto, "Breaking Chains: A Call for Equality," argued that education was the key to dismantling caste hierarchies. Kanha Ram’s efforts led to the founding of the first inter-caste marriage registry in Pune, enabling Dalit and Brahmin families to marry legally. His collaboration with Jyotirao Phule amplified his impact, though Kanha’s contributions remain underrecognized compared to his contemporaries. He also pioneered vocational training programs, teaching carpentry and agriculture to economically empower lower castes. Kanha Ram’s legacy is reflected in India’s 1950 Constitution, which banned caste-based discrimination—a principle he championed decades earlier. His life is chronicled in online archives, and his writings are preserved in the "Marathi Social Reformers Collection" at Mumbai University.