Biography Savitribai Phule
On January 3, 1831, Savitribai Phule was born in Naigaon, in the Satara district of Maharashtra. She was the oldest child of Lakshmi and Khandoji Neveshe Patil, who were both members of the Other Backward Caste (OBC) that once comprised the Mali group. She married 13-year-old Jyotirao Phule at the age of nine.
Due to her status as a lady from a lower caste, Savitri was illiterate when she was married. Men from lower caste communities and women were denied the opportunity to pursue higher education by the dominant Brahmin class; Jyotirao Phule, popularly known as Jyotiba, was compelled to drop out of school due to his caste. However, Jyotiba was enrolled in a Scottish missionary school, where he studied until class VII at the insistence of a British official named Lizit Sahab as well as the Persian scholar Ghaffar Baig Munshi.
Attribute | Details |
---|---|
Full Name | Savitribai Phule |
Born | January 3, 1831, Naigaon, Bombay Presidency, British India |
Died | March 10, 1897, Pune, Bombay Presidency, British India |
Spouse | Jyotirao Phule |
Education | Trained in teaching by Jyotirao Phule and later furthered her education in teacher’s training |
Profession | Teacher, Social Reformer, Poet |
Contributions | – Founded one of India’s first girls’ school in Pune in 1848, along with her husband. |
– Advocated for women’s education and fought against the caste system. | |
– Worked towards the eradication of untouchability and discrimination. | |
– Supported widow remarriage and raised awareness against child marriage. | |
– Authored poems and writings focusing on discrimination, education, and social reform. | |
Legacy | Regarded as a pioneer of women’s education and empowerment in India. Her birth anniversary is celebrated as National Women’s Day in India. |
The Role of Jyotirao Phule in Savitri Phule’s Life
According to the custom of marrying off females before they reach puberty, Savitribai Phule was married off at the tender age of nine to 13-year-old Jyotirao Phule. However, none in their family realized how Jyotirao’s impact on his young bride would alter India’s course altogether.
Jyotirao chose to educate women after observing all the social ills, such as untouchability, monopolized education, inequality, and the status of women. However, how would he accomplish this? He was aware that to assist in preparing female teachers for girls, he would need additional women. He decided to begin with his spouse.
Whenever Savitribai Phule visited her husband’s fields in the afternoon to bring him food, Jyotirao sat by her and imparted knowledge to her.
When Jyotirao’s father learned about it, he vowed to kick them out of the house, fearing attacks by orthodox elements. Savitribai Phule chose to follow her husband after the revolution had already gained traction.
Death
It was during the care of a patient that Savitribai Phule passed away on March 10, 1897, in the clinic she had founded to treat victims of the bubonic plague. She made a bold and innovative challenge to Manu Wadi culture, which was one of the unique effects of her many and varied accomplishments.
Savitribai Phule : Complete Biography (Personal Life, Education, Career & Role)
Biography of Savitribai Phule: Personal Life, Education, and Career: The first feminist in India, born on January 3, 1831, was raised in a nation under British Raj control with no mention of women’s rights. She accomplished the historic feat of founding the first school for females, as we know, working hand in hand with her social reformer husband, Jyotirao Phule. Most of us, however, are unaware of the torture Phule endured at the hands of a culture that was backward because she dared to teach women.
In this article, find out how Savitribai Phule was instrumental in elevating the position of women in Indian society, her educational background, the challenges she faced, and her outlook on certain societal practices. Read below to find out more.
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