India, Oct. 25 -- There were several leaders contemporary to Dr BR Ambedkar working on different issues that ailed society. What makes him an 'Iconoclast'?

You are right; there indeed were several leaders who worked on different issues that ailed society. It all started with the British conquest of India during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, which exposed some of the serious weaknesses and drawbacks of Indian social institutions. The British introduced the English language as well as certain modern ideas from the European Renaissance such as liberty, social and economic equality, fraternity, democracy and justice. They inspired advanced sections of society to undertake reforms to do away with evil customs and traditions within ...