Gulamgiri (meaning "Slavery") is a seminal literary work and concept authored by social reformer Jyotirao Phule. Originally published in Marathi in 1873, with an English preface, it stands as a foundational critique of the caste system and Brahminical hegemony in India. Phule wrote the book to expose the systemic oppression and subjugation of the Shudras and Ati-Shudras (lower castes and untouchables), arguing that their condition was a form of "mental slavery".
The book works by dismantling the ideological foundations of Brahminism, often presented as a dialogue between Phule and a character named Dhondiba. Its key mechanism is the radical reinterpretation of Hindu mythology and gods, such as Brahma, Parshuram, and Vaman, to challenge their sanctity and argue that these narratives were crafted to legitimize caste oppression. Phule's solution was the democratization of knowledge, urging the lower castes to seek education as the primary means of emancipation.
The concept of Gulamgiri is deeply connected to the Satyashodhak Samaj (Truth Seekers' Society), which Phule founded in the same year, 1873, to promote social equality. Phule dedicated the book to the African American movement to end slavery in the United States, drawing a parallel between the two forms of systemic oppression. It is considered a "seed text" for the anti-Brahmanical consciousness and profoundly influenced later social reformers, including B.R. Ambedkar, who regarded Phule as his guru. As a historical text, Gulamgiri has not been amended or replaced, but its arguments remain central to contemporary discussions on caste and social justice.