Savitribai Phule

Context

On the occasion of her birth anniversary, the Prime Minister paid tributes to Savitribai Phule, honoring her as a foundational figure in Indian feminism and a lifelong advocate for education, equality, and social transformation.

About Savitribai Phule

• Who she was? Savitribai Phule (1831–1897) was a trailblazing social reformer, poet, and educator. She is widely recognized as the first female teacher of modern India.
• Early Life: Born in Naigaon, Maharashtra, she was married to Jyotirao Phule at a young age. Her exposure to learning, encouraged by her husband, ignited a lifelong mission to reform Indian society through the power of education.
• Education and Training: Breaking the societal norms of the 19th century, she became a qualified teacher in 1847 after undergoing training in Ahmednagar and Pune.

Key Contributions to Indian Society

1. Pioneer of Girls’ Education

• In 1848, along with Jyotirao Phule, she co-founded India’s first school for girls at Bhidewada, Pune.
• She was instrumental in establishing 18 schools dedicated to girls and children from marginalized communities.

2. Social Reform for the Vulnerable

• Shelters and Protection: Established shelters for widows, destitute women, and child brides (1854; expanded in 1864).
• Anti-Discrimination Campaigns: Led fierce campaigns against child marriage, caste-based discrimination, and the practice of untouchability.
• Satyashodhak Samaj: Played a central role in the Satyashodhak Samaj (Truth Seekers' Society), which promoted equality and popularized "Satyashodhak marriages" performed without priests or dowries.

3. Courage and Public Service

• Resilience: She famously defied extreme social hostility, often carrying an extra saree because protesters would throw mud and stones at her as she walked to school.
• Ultimate Sacrifice: During the plague epidemic of 1897, she personally served victims and contracted the disease herself, leading to her death in the line of service.

Significance and Legacy

• Education as Emancipation: Her life serves as a symbol of education as the primary tool for social justice and women’s rights.
• Institutional Recognition: Her legacy is preserved through institutions such as Savitribai Phule Pune University and continues to inspire contemporary debates on equality and inclusive reform.