Final answer:
Gandhi was particularly sympathetic towards the Dalits, often referred to as Untouchables or Harijans, whom he called the "children of God." He advocated for their rights in a society where they faced significant discrimination under the caste system.
Step-by-step explanation:
Gandhi was especially sorry for the Dalits, also known as Untouchables or Harijans, a social class that a person belongs to by birth. He referred to them as the "children of God" and was an advocate for their rights and for ending the discriminatory practices against them within the caste system. The caste system in India, which dates back to ancient times, organizes society into hierarchical social classes based on birth and occupation. At the top of this system were the Brahmins (priests and teachers), followed by the Kshatriyas (warriors and rulers), the Vaishyas (merchants and landowners), and the Shudras (laborers). The Dalits were beyond this four-tier system and faced severe restrictions and social stigma, relegating them to menial and oftentimes degrading tasks.