19th century reformer Jyotiba Phule coined the term 'Dalit'

Jyotiba Phule, the 19th century reformer whose birth anniversary is on April 11, is credited with coining the term 'Dalit'. Phule wrote several books on the atrocities faced by the downtrodden classes and was committed to improving the condition of women in society. In 1848 in Pune, he and his wife Savitribai Phule opened the first-ever school for girls.