On the occasion of Savitribai Phule Jayanti, we pay homage to the trailblazing woman who reshaped the landscape of education and social reform in 19th-century India. Savitribai’s journey began as a young bride, armed with a thirst for knowledge and a determination to challenge societal norms.
Arriving in Pune in 1840 at the tender age of nine, Savitribai’s most cherished possession was a book gifted to her by a Christian missionary. Recognizing her eagerness to learn, her husband, Jyotirao Phule, taught her to read and write, laying the foundation for a revolutionary chapter in Indian history.
In a time when education was considered the privilege of the Brahmins, Savitribai and Jyotirao defied conventions by establishing the first school for girls in 1848. Despite facing vehement opposition, including physical assaults, Savitribai persisted, carrying an extra sari daily to shield herself from stones and dung hurled by detractors. By 1851, she was overseeing three schools with around 150 girl students, breaking barriers for education across caste and communities.
Savitribai’s commitment extended beyond the classroom. Disturbed by the plight of young widows, she and Jyotirao transformed their home into a shelter, providing refuge for these vulnerable women. Adopting a child born at the shelter, Savitribai demonstrated her dedication to nurturing the next generation. Today, her legacy endures in the form of the first school she established, now a part of Pune’s heritage walk.
During the devastating bubonic plague pandemic of 1897, Savitribai and her adopted son, Yashwant, displayed exceptional courage by opening a clinic on the outskirts of Pune to treat the afflicted. In selflessly serving the patients, Savitribai contracted the disease and succumbed to it on March 10, 1897.
Savitribai’s contributions go beyond education; she pioneered social reforms and stood as a beacon of resilience and compassion. Her impact on the liberation of Indian women, dalits, and widows cannot be overstated. Every educated Indian woman today owes a debt of gratitude to Savitribai Phule, the mother of modern girls’ education, whose legacy continues to inspire generations.
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