The 187th birth anniversary of the influential social reformer of the 19th century, Savitri Bai Phule, has recently been celebrated. She was a key figure in the promotion of women’s education in India and left a profound impact on society with her determined and uncompromising efforts in this field.
Early Life and Education of Savitri Bai Phule
Savitri Bai Phule was born on January 3rd, 1831, in Naigaon in Maharashtra’s Satara district. She was the eldest daughter of Lakshmi and Khandoji Neveshe Patil, who were both part of the Other Backward Caste (OBC). At the tender age of nine, she was married off to Jyotirao Phule who happened to be only four years her senior. After their marriage, Jyotirao took up the responsibility of educating Savitribai at home. She passed away on March 10, 1897, while treating a patient at the clinic she had established for victims of the bubonic plague.
Savitri Bai’s Contribution to Women’s Education
In the 19th century, public education was an exclusive privilege and missionary schools that were ‘open to all’ were scarce. Against these odds, Savitri, with her husband Jyotirao, established a school for girls in 1848 – the first of its kind in the country launched by Indians. She also underwent teacher’s training at an institute overseen by an American missionary in Ahmednagar before moving on to teach girls in Pune’s Maharwada.
By the close of 1851, Savitri and Jyotirao successfully ran three schools in Pune with a collective strength of approximately 150 girls. Their innovative teaching methods were reported to be superior to those in government schools, and it wasn’t long before the enrolment of girls in Phule’s schools overtook that of boys in government institutions.
Recognition and Resistance
| Year | Notable Events |
|---|---|
| 1849 | Savitri Bai and Jyotirao left their family home due to societal pressure against their innovative educational practices. |
| 1852 | Formation of the Mahila Seva Mandal by Savitri Bai Phule to promote women’s rights. |
| 1850s | The Phule couple initiated two educational trusts — the Native Female School, Pune, and The Society for Promoting the Education of Mahars, Mangs and Etceteras. |
| 1863 | Establishment of a safe shelter for pregnant, exploited Brahman widows at the Phule residence. |
| 1873 | First Satyashodhak marriage initiated by Savitri Bai — a ceremony free of dowry, Brahmin priests or Brahminical rituals. |
Savitri Bai’s Legacy and the Satya Shodhak Samaj
Savitri Bai’s indefatigable efforts in the sphere of social reform were not limited to her life span. Following the death of her husband in 1890, she continued to serve as the torchbearer of his cause, taking the helm of the organization Satya Shodhak Samaj. She also chaired the annual session held at Saswad in 1893.
The Satya Shodhak Samaj, or the ‘Truth Seekers Society,’ was founded by Jyotirao Phule in Pune in 1873. The congregation’s primary objective was to provide education to the lower castes, scheduled caste, and scheduled tribes and enlighten them about the exploitative practices of the society.
Savitri Bai Phule’s unyielding commitment to social reform and women’s education was not only instrumental in challenging the patriarchal norms of her time but continues to inspire subsequent generations in their quest for equal rights and opportunities.