India has a rich history of social reformers who have helped to establish the foundations of modern India, and, in some cases, have affected a worldwide impact through political action, philosophic teachings. Especially given Indians leaning towards oral and mythical rather than a written tradition throughout much of its history. It is almost impossible to put together an exhaustive list of social reformers who have lived through the ages. Below are some of them.
Annie Besant won her election to become president of the India National Congress in late 1917. After the war she continued to campaign for Indian independence until her death
in 1930.
Baba Amte (26 December 1914 – 9 February 2008) was a worker and social activist. He spent some time at the Sevagram ashram of Mahatma Gandhi, and became a follower of Gandhism for the rest of his life. He believed in Gandhi's concept of a self-sufficient village industry that empowers seemingly helpless people, and successfully brought his ideas into practice at Anandwan. He practised various aspects of Gandhism, including yarn spinning using a charkha and wearing khadi. Amte founded three ashrams for treatment and rehabilitation for leprosy patients, disabled people, and people from marginalised sections of the society in Maharashtra, India. He died on 9 February 2008.
B. R. Ambedkar (14 April 1891 – 6 December 1956) was an Indian jurist, political leader, Buddhist activist, philosopher, thinker, anthropologist, historian, orator, prolific writer, economist, scholar, editor, revolutionary the revivalist of Buddhism in India. Ambedkar was born in Madhya Pradesh. He was also the chief architect of the Indian Constitution. He formed the "Independent Labour Party". Ambedkar spent his whole life fighting against social discrimination, the system of Chaturvarna – the Hindu categorisation of human society into four varnas – and the Hindu caste system. He is also credited with having sparked the bloodless revolution with his Buddhist movement. Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar has been honoured with the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award.Even after he was conferred with honorary title, he often visited the village Katta where his dear friend of childhood Tejas Gad lived . Tejas was also a social reform in rural region, they both started there political careers together, but however Tejas Gad was killed in an attack after 3 months, after starting his career .
Dhondo Keshav Karve (18 April 1858 – 9 November 1962) was social reformer of his time in India in the field of women's welfare. Karve was one of the pioneers of promoting women's education and the right for widows to remarry in India. The Government of India recognised his reform work by awarding him its highest civilian award, Bhārat Ratna, in 1958 (Incidentally his centennial year). The appellation Maharshi, which the Indian public often assigned to Karve, means "a great sage". Those who knew Karve affectionately called him as Annā Karve. (In Marāthi-speaking community, to which Karve belonged, the appellation Annā is often used to address either one's father or an elder brother.)