Savitribai Phule History: Every year on 3 January the country celebrates the birth anniversary of Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule. This day is not just a day of remembrance but also an opportunity to understand the social revolution that laid the foundation of women’s education, social equality and women’s empowerment.
Who was Savitribai Phule?
Savitribai Phule, born on 3 January 1831 in Naigaon, Satara district of Maharashtra, was India’s first female teacher and social reformer. She taught girls at a time when it was considered a crime for women to step out of the house.
Made education a weapon of social liberation
Savitribai believed that only education could end the darkness of ignorance and exploitation. His message “Go, go and study” is still considered the soul of the education movement. He challenged the thinking of the society by opening schools for women and Dalit classes. After marrying Jyotirao Phule at the age of 9, Savitribai made a historic contribution in the field of education. With the help of Jyotirao Phule, he started the country’s first girls’ school, which was a revolutionary step in Indian society.
Savitribai Phule reading to girls (Source: Social media)
Movement against caste system and untouchability
The Phule couple fought against caste discrimination and social inequality by establishing ‘Satyashodhak Samaj’. He took many historic steps to provide education and equal rights to the Dalits and deprived classes. Savitribai Phule strongly opposed child marriage, Sati practice and women exploitation. He believed that an educated woman takes the entire society forward. She is considered one of the first modern feminist thinkers of India.
Why is Savitribai Phule relevant today?
Even today, when the debate on education, gender equality and social justice continues, Savitribai Phule’s thoughts are guiding. His life remains a symbol of struggle, courage and equality. Savitribai Phule is not just history, but ideas. Such ideas, which even today inspire to improve the society.
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performed the last rites of her husband herself
Savitribai Phule set an example of courage and dedication in front of the society. After the death of her husband Jyotirao Phule in 1890, she challenged social customs and herself performed all the rituals of his funeral and lit his funeral pyre. Savitribai resolved to make her husband’s unfulfilled dreams come true and never let herself feel alone.
About seven years later, in 1897, a plague epidemic broke out in Maharashtra. Savitribai threw herself into the service of the victims selflessly. During this time, she herself fell prey to this fatal disease and died on 10 March 1897. Till his last moments he set an example of service and dedication.
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