Ramasami Nadar

19th century Indian social reformer who pioneered caste equality and public health initiatives

Ramasami Nadar (1825-1890) was a visionary social reformer from Tamil Nadu who challenged India's caste system and improved public health long before British reforms. As a member of the Nadar merchant caste, he used his wealth to establish India's first non-caste based schools and hospitals. His 1853 Madurai Education Society provided free education to children of all castes, including Dalits, at a time when education was strictly caste-restricted.

Ramasami introduced modern medical practices to rural areas through mobile clinics and built Tamil Nadu's first sewage system in Tirunelveli. He published the Nadar Samaja Prakasam newspaper to advocate for women's rights and inter-caste marriages. His most radical act was establishing the Sudharakula Sabha (Reform Society) in 1860 to promote equality through economic empowerment (Wikipedia).

Despite facing ostracization from his community, Ramasami's initiatives inspired later reformers like E.V. Ramasamy. His efforts are commemorated at the Ramasami Nadar Memorial Museum in Madurai, which contains original school records and medical equipment. Modern activists reference his work in debates about caste-based affirmative action policies.