Anti-Brahmanical movements during the colonial period in India were significant socio-political phenomena, primarily emerging in South India, particularly in the Madras Presidency. These movements challenged the entrenched social hierarchy, ritual dominance, and political power of Brahmins, who were often seen as beneficiaries of both traditional caste structures and colonial administrative policies. Key among these was the Justice Party (later Dravidar Kazhagam) in Tamil Nadu, founded in 1916, which advocated for the rights and representation of non-Brahmin castes. Leaders like E.V. Ramasamy 'Periyar' spearheaded the Self-Respect Movement, which vehemently critiqued Brahmanical Hinduism, caste discrimination, and the Sanskritization process. They promoted rationalism, atheism, and social equality, urging non-Brahmins to reject Brahmin priests and rituals. These movements sought to dismantle the caste system, particularly its hierarchical aspects, and secure greater political and economic opportunities for non-Brahmin communities. They highlighted the historical oppression faced by lower castes and Dalits, advocating for reservations in education and government jobs. While often focusing on the non-Brahmin vs. Brahmin dichotomy, these movements also laid the groundwork for broader social justice struggles and influenced the discourse on caste, identity, and political representation in independent India. They represented a powerful assertion of subaltern identities against traditional dominance and colonial complicity, contributing to a more inclusive vision of society.