Savitribai Jyotirao Phule (January 3, 1831—March 10, 1897) was a social reformer, who, along with her husband, Mahatama Jyotirao Phule, played an important role in improving women’s rights in India during the British Rule.
Savitribai was the first female teacher of the first women’s school in India and also considered as the pioneer of modern Marathi poetry. In 1852 she opened a school for untouchable girls. Stones were thrown and she was abused but even then she did not quit teaching. She used to be badly hurt but she was encouraged by her husband
Savitribai Phule was born in Naigaon village in Satara district to her mother Laxmibai and father Khandoji Navse Patil on January 3, 1831. Her father was the village chief. Savitribai was just nine years old when she was married to Jyoti Rao Phule (age thirteen) in the year 1840. According to the Hindu calendar, the date of their marriage was Phalgun Vadya panchami, Shakey 1765. Savitribai’s father-in-law, Govindrao Phule, was from Phursungi, with the last name Khirsagar.
Mahatama Jyotirao is regarded as one of the most important figures in the social reform movement in Maharashtra and India. He is most known for his efforts to educate women and the lower castes. Jyotirao was Savitribai’s mentor and supporter. Under his influence Savitribai had taken women’s education and their liberation from the cultural patterns of the male-dominated society as mission of her life. She worked towards tackling some of the then major social problems, including women’s liberation, widow remarriages and removal of untouchability.
Savitribai was not only involved in educational activities of Jyotirao but also in every social struggle that he launched. They also fought against all forms of social prejudices. They were moved to see the untouchables who were refused drinking water meant for the upper caste. Both Jyotirao and Savitribai opened up their reservoir of water to the untouchables in the precincts of their house.
She herself was struck by the disease while nursing a sick child named Pandurang Babaji Gaikwad who lived on the outskirts of ‘Mundva’ village and died on 10 March 1897 at 9 pm. Her death was reported by the local newspaper ‘Deenbandhu’.
Vocabulary
Struck—hit
Precincts—boundary
