Early Life of Savitribai Phule

Savitribai Phule was one of the most important personalities who contributed considerably in adding
glory to the mission of modern Indian social scenario. Jyotirao Phule, her husband, needed some
female teachers to join his bandwagon of his reform works. Thus, he taught and trained his wife as a
teacher. Slowly the news of his teaching Savitri reached his father who threatened to drive him out of
his house, fearing attack from orthodox elements. When the choice before Savitribai was either going
away with her husband or staying back with orthodox her in-laws, she preferred to be with her
husband. After that her husband sent her to a training school. She passed out with flying colours. After
completing her studies, Savitribai Phule opened a school in Pune for girls in the year 1848. Initially,
nine girls enrolled themselves as students and they belonged to different castes. She used to leave for
the school early in the morning. Orthodox society was not prepared for this 'misadventure', as woman's
education was frowned upon.

Education of Women
Savitribai Phule continued with teaching the girls despite all oppositions from the society. She was
even abused by the orthodox society. She lost all courage after facing such ill treatments and even
determined to give up but she continued only because her husband's support. In spite of the entire
ordeals, she continued with her teaching. Slowly and gradually, she established herself. Eventually,
Savitribai Phule was honoured by the British government for her contribution to education. In 1852
Jyotiba and Savitribai were felicitated by the government for their commendable efforts in the field of
education.

Other Social Reforms of Savitribai Phule Savitribai Phule not only contributed in the educational
activities, but also supported her husband in every social struggle that he launched. Once Jyotiba
stopped a pregnant lady from committing suicide and promised her to give the child his name, after it
was born. Savitribai and Jyotiba later on adopted the child. This particular incident brought new
horizons and the couple took serious steps for the troubles of widows in the society.

The next step was equally revolutionary. During those days marriages were arranged between young
girls and old men. Men used to die of old age or some sickness and their young widows lived a weary
life. Savitribai Phule and Jyotiba were moved by the condition of the widows as well as by the
condition of untouchables in the society. Thus, Savitribai Phule shared every activity in which her
husband was engaged. She suffered alike with him but she maintained own distinctive personality.
After his death, she took over the charge of Satya Shodhak Samaj.

Publications of Savitribai Phule Savitribai's poems and other writings are still an inspiration to
others. Her two books of poems Kavya Phule in1934 and Bavan Kashi Subodh Ratnakar in1982 were
published.

Career as Social & Educational Reformer During the 1930-40 in India society beliefs towards women,
their education and marriage were completely opposite in comparison to 21st century. At that time
male members belonging to rich family and caste were free to do sexual exploitation, rape and other
sins because of the easy prey orders by the village panchayat or even British governed law and order.
But the Phule couple opposed those beliefs and culture, they convinced the villagers to educate their
girl child for their bright future, they gone on strike for supporting the widow women’s and convinced
barbers for not saving their heads after the death of their husband. Poems by Savitribai Phule She was
dedicated towards social and educational reforms and to motivate and convince the people support her
against discrimination, and those poems are as listed below :- Go Get Education Be Self-reliant, be
industrious Work, gather wisdom and riches All gets lost without knowledge We become animal
without wisdom Sit idle no more, go, get education End misery of the oppressed and forsaken You’ve
got a golden chance to learn So learn and break the chains of caste Throw away the Brahman’s
scriptures fast Death She was working with her son Yashavantrao who opened a clinic to treat those
who were effected by plague around 1897. Clinic was established out of the city Pune and Savitribai
personally took patients at her son’s clinic so he could treat them. While caring one of the patient she
contracted to this deadly disease herself and died on 10 March 1897. P.S If you think this story is
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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.

Savitribai Phule (1831-1897), is one of the supreme name who fought against the totalitarianism of
caste and other social evils in India.
Historians, who are ought to be the free from fear, sincere, open minded, open hearted, truth seeker &
also of courage to show the truth at any cost. But it’s misfortune that historians have shown distorted
picture & never showed truth to the people. Hence as a result of which almost everyone confuse
history with fiction & historians have made people blind, deaf & dumb – have disabled people from
thinking rationally.

It has always wondered, why the “Teacher’s day” is not celebrated on the birthday of Savitribai Phule,
the lady who started first ever school for the downtrodden Mahatma Jotiba Phule and his wife
Savitribai Phule were first among the people who declared war against Casteism and Brahminic-
Casteist culture. The Maharashtrian pioneering couple led mass movement of uniting oppressed class
against the Brahminic values and thinking.

Savitribai Phule worked as an equal partner in the mission of uplifting the poor and oppressed people.
Though, she was formerly uneducated, she was encouraged, motivated by Mahatma Jotiba Phule to
study. Later on she became the first lady teacher of school started by her husband. Life of Savitribai
Phule as a teacher in the school at the time when upper caste orthodox people used to look down
wasn’t easy and many a they times used to pelt stones and throw dung on her. The young couple faced
severe opposition from almost all sections. Savitribai was subject to intense harassment everyday as
she walked to the school. Stones, mud and dirt were flung at her as she passed. But Savitribai Phule
faced everything peacefully and with courageously.

Savitribai Phule was the first Dalit women, in-fact first women whose poems got noticed in the British
Empire. Savitribai Phule was the mother of modern poetry stressing necessity of English and
Education through her poems.

Go, Get Education

Be self-reliant, be industrious
Work—gather wisdom and riches,
All gets lost without knowledge
 We become animal without wisdom,
Sit idle no more, go, get education
End misery of the oppressed and forsaken,
You´ve got a golden chance to learn
So learn and break the chains of caste.
Throw away the Brahman’s scriptures fast.

At the time when even a shadow of untouchables were considered impure, when the people were
unwilling to offer water to thirsty untouchables, Savitribai Phule and Mahatma Jotiba Phule opened
the well in their house for the use of untouchables. It was a challenge thrown at the Brahmins so as
they change their mindset towards untouchables. But even after almost 200 years, dalit (untouchables)
still strive for water rights.
They took initiative to give education for downtrodden, thinking accurately that education is necessary
for the restoration of social and cultural values. Savitribai Phule started ‘Mahila Seva Mandal’ in 1852,
which worked for raising women’s consciousness about their human rights, dignity of life and other
social issues. With grave personals he went on to organise a successful barbers’ strike in Mumbai and
Pune against the prevailing practice of shaving of windows’ heads.

Savitribai Phule

During the 1876 to 1898 famines, Savitribai Phule worked courageously with her husband and
suggested many new ways to overcome the difficult time. They started distributing free food at many
locations. She died while she was nursing a plague- affected child — she got infected while serving
the affected people.

Rational thinking people will definitely question, how could it be possible that name of such a legend
(Savitribai Phule) is omitted from the history books, when names like “Jhansi ki Rani”; Laxmibai and
names of wives and ‘girl-friends’ of Gandhi-Nehru family are given in history books?
Indian women society is not aware of the greatness of Savitribai Phule, who dared to purse the nobel
profession of ’teaching’ in the ‘Dark Age’. She dared to speak against the unpardonable boundaries
imposed on the women society ofIndia, for which today’s women society should be grateful to her.