Jyotirao Phule, born in 1827, was the most vocal amongst the “Low-caste” leaders. He attacked the Brahmans’ claim of their superiority to others. He argued the Aryans were foreigners, who came from outside the subcontinent. They defeated and subjugated the true children of the country and looked at the defeated population as inferior. According to Phule, the “upper” castes had no right to their land and power. In reality, the land belonged to the so-called low castes. Phule opined that there existed a golden age when warrior-peasants tilled the land and ruled the Maratha countryside in just and fairways. He proposed that the Shudras (labouring castes) and Ati Shudras (untouchables) should unite to challenge caste discrimination. The Satyashodhak Samaj association founded by Phule propagated caste equality.