Savitribai Phule (1831–1897) was a trailblazer who laid the foundation of women’s education and fought against caste and gender-based discrimination in 19th-century India. As a reformer, poet, and activist, she challenged oppressive customs, opened the doors of learning to marginalized communities, and became a symbol of empowerment for generations to come.
Early Life and Education
Savitribai Phule was born on January 3, 1831, in Naigaon, a small village in the Satara district of Maharashtra. She belonged to a socially backward Mali community. Married at the young age of nine to Jyotirao Phule, Savitribai’s life took a transformative turn when her husband recognized her potential and encouraged her to study.
Determined to acquire formal education despite social opposition, Savitribai trained at Ms. Farar’s Institution in Ahmednagar and later at Ms. Mitchell’s school in Pune, eventually becoming India’s first female teacher.
Champion of Women’s Education
In 1848, Savitribai Phule and Jyotirao Phule started India’s first school for girls in Bhide Wada, Pune. This bold step met with fierce resistance—she was often abused and even pelted with stones by orthodox sections of society. But her determination never wavered.
By 1851, she was running 18 schools for children of all castes, with around 150 girl students enrolled, an extraordinary achievement in those times. Together with her husband, she established educational trusts such as:
- Native Female School, Pune
- Society for Promoting the Education of Mahars, Mangs, and Other Downtrodden Castes
Her contributions were recognized by the British government in 1852, which honored her as the “Best Teacher.”
Fight Against Social Evils
Savitribai Phule was not only a teacher but also a revolutionary reformer who attacked deep-rooted social injustices:
- Women’s Rights: In 1852, she founded the Mahila Seva Mandal, an organization that united women across caste lines and spread awareness about equality and rights.
- Widow Remarriage: She strongly advocated for the right of widows to remarry and worked to end the practice of forcing widows into a life of austerity.
- Barbers’ Strike: To oppose the custom of shaving widows’ heads, Savitribai organized a strike among barbers in Mumbai and Pune.
- Against Infanticide: In 1863, Savitribai and Jyotirao established Balhatya Pratibandhak Griha, India’s first home to prevent female infanticide. It provided shelter to widows, rape survivors, and pregnant women abandoned by society.
- Caste Discrimination: As a key figure in Satyashodhak Samaj (Truth-Seeker’s Society) founded by Jyotirao Phule in 1873, Savitribai fought for equality across caste lines, challenging Brahmanical dominance.
Literary Contributions
Savitribai Phule was also a powerful poet who used her writings as a medium to awaken society. Her notable works include:
- Kavya Phule (1854): A collection of her early poems addressing social reform and education.
- Bavan Kashi Subodh Ratnakar (1892): Another anthology of poems reflecting her vision of justice and equality.
Her famous poem “Go, Get Education” inspired generations of oppressed and marginalized people to pursue knowledge as the path to liberation.
Role During Epidemics and Later Life
Savitribai Phule also displayed remarkable courage during crises. During the famine of 1876, she set up food shelters and worked tirelessly for the poor. Later, when the plague epidemic of 1897 hit Pune, she, along with her adopted son Yashwant Rao, set up a plague relief center.
While serving the sick, she contracted plague herself and passed away on March 10, 1897. Her death symbolized her lifelong commitment to selfless service.
Legacy and Impact
Savitribai Phule’s contributions laid the foundation for women’s empowerment and social justice in India. Her legacy is celebrated in various ways:
- Her birth anniversary, January 3, is observed as Savitribai Phule Jayanti across India.
- She is remembered as the “Mother of Indian Feminism.”
- Institutions, universities, and women’s organizations continue to be named in her honor, carrying forward her mission of education and equality.
Conclusion
Savitribai Phule was much more than India’s first female teacher—she was a visionary reformer, fearless activist, and compassionate human being who dedicated her life to uplifting women, Dalits, and other marginalized groups. At a time when society resisted every step she took, she lit the torch of education and equality, proving that knowledge is the most powerful weapon against oppression.
Her life’s work continues to inspire India’s struggles for gender justice, social equity, and universal education.
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