Savitribai phule biography of abraham
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Although they were ostracized by both family and community for this step, the resolute couple was given shelter by a friend Usman Sheikh and his sister Fatima Sheikh, who also gave the Phule couple place in their premises to start the school. Jyotirao and Savitribai later started schools for children from the Mang and Mahar castes, who were regarded as untouchables.
Savitribai Phule
Fast Facts
Date of Birth: January 3, 1831
Place of Birth: Naigaon, British India
Death: March 10, 1897
Place of Death: Pune, Maharashtra, British India
Husband: Jyotiba Phule
Organisations: Balhatya Pratibandhak Griha, Satyashodhak Samaj, Mahila Seva Mandal
Movement: Women Education and Empowerment, Social Reform Movement
Introduction
Savitribai Jyotirao Phule was a prominent Indian social reformer, educationist and poet who played an instrumental role in women education and empowerment during the nineteenth century.
On November 16 that year, the British government honoured the Phule family for their contributions in the field of education while Savitribai was named the best teacher. Girls in those days were married off early, so following the prevalent customs, the nine year old Savitribai was wedded to 12 years old Jyotirao Phule in 1840.
In course of time, she contracted the disease while serving the patients and succumbed to it on March 10, 1897.
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Legacy
The relentless efforts of Savitribai in curbing the age-old evils of society and the rich legacy of good reforms left behind by her continues to inspire generations.
She took great effort towards educating and emancipating child widows, campaigned against child marriage and sati pratha, and advocated for widow remarriage. She took training at Ms Farar’s Institution in Ahmednagar.
Jyotirao stood firmly by the side of Savitribai in all her social endeavours.
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Role in Women Education & Empowerment
The first indigenously-run school for girls in Pune (at that time Poona) was started by Jyotirao and Savitribai in 1848 when the latter was still in her teens.
Savitribai became the first teacher of the school. They not only distributed free food in different areas but also launched 52 free food hostels in Maharashtra. When the worldwide Third Pandemic of the bubonic plague badly affected the area around Nallaspora, Maharastra in 1897, the courageous Savitribai and Yashwantrao opened a clinic at outskirts of Pune to treat the patients infected by the disease.
Savitribai worked as head of its women’s section and following the demise of her husband on November 28, 1890, she became the chairperson of the samaj. Over the years, Savitribai opened 18 schools and taught children from different castes. She encouraged them to take up activities like writing and painting. India Post released a stamp in her honour on March 10, 1998.
He is counted among the leading figures of Maharashtra’s social reform movement. Savitribai carried forward the work of her husband through the samaj leading it till her last breath.
She and her husband worked dauntlessly during the famines starting from 1876. However, such atrocities could not discourage the determined Savitribai from her goal and she would carry two saris.
The couple arranged minimum cost marriages in the samaj sans any priest or any dowry. Savitribai also persuaded the British government to initiate relief work during the 1897 draught.
The educationist and social activist also raised her voice against caste and gender discrimination.