• Dr.Padmanabhan.N

Abstract The Dalits belonged to the lowest strata in the Hindu hierarchy. They were untouchables and unapproachables and also physically and socially segregated from the rest of the Hindu society through the institution of caste. They were landless peasants and have been producing the goods and services for their master.They were always the sons of the marginalized sections of the Kerala society. Ayyankali was a remarkable social reformer, and leader who fought for the rights and dignity of the oppressed in the princely state of Travancore. He challenged the caste system and its discriminatory practices, and advocated for education, land ownership, and labour rights for the Dalits.He organised the first strike by agricultural workers in the region, demanding education for the children of the Pulaya community. As a form of protest, many farm labourers withdrew their labour from the fields of the upper castes. They demanded the government to remove all restrictions on education.He also pushed the government to issue an order mandating the admission of Dalit children in public schools in 1907. The order was finally passed in favor of the lower castes in 1910, though it was opposed by the upper castes. The resultant protest called by Ayyankali halted all farming activities. The revolt came to be known as 'Kandala Kahala'. “Ayyankali had said if you didn't let our children acquire education, we wouldn't work in your fields.

Keywords: - Hindu hierarchy- untouchables- unapproachables -Caste System- Slaves-Ayyankali-Kandala Kahala.

"AYYANKALI AND THE FARM LABOUR STRIKE IN KERALA", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 8, page no.f302-f307, August-2024, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2408534.pdf

"AYYANKALI AND THE FARM LABOUR STRIKE IN KERALA", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 8, page no. ppf302-f307, August-2024, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2408534.pdf