He led the movement against the prevailing caste-restrictions in India. He fought for the rights of peasants and other lower caste people. Jyotiba Phule was believed to be the first Hindu to start an orphanage for the unfortunate children. Jyotiba Phule devoted his entire life for the liberation of untouchables from the exploitation by upper castes. He encouraged and performed widow marriages and urged the British to set up schools to allow people of the lower castes to get educated. Viewing the pathetic condition of widows and unfortunate children Jyotirao decided the open an orphanage. In order to protect those widows and their children, Jyotiba Phule established an orphanage in 1854. Many young widows, from the upper-caste spent their days in the orphanage.