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.

Savitribai Phule

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.

Speech on Savitribai Phule

Given below is the example of a speech idea on the topic of “Savitribai Phule”:

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today, we gather to celebrate and remember a beacon of hope, a pioneer of women’s education in India, and a relentless warrior in the fight against social injustice—Savitribai Phule. Born in 1831, in a time when the shadows of discrimination and ignorance loomed large over society, Savitribai emerged as a ray of light for countless women and marginalized communities.

With courage that defied the norms of her time, Savitribai, alongside her husband Jyotirao Phule, founded the first girls’ school in Pune in 1848. This was not just a school; it was a statement—a declaration that women, too, deserved to be educated, to think, to dream, and to achieve.

Savitribai Phule was not just an educator; she was a visionary who saw education as the most potent tool for social reform. In her own words, “Education is the foundation of a good life.” She understood that the path to true freedom and equality passes through the gates of education. She tirelessly worked towards this goal, braving social ostracism, physical assaults, and relentless criticism, because she believed in a future where every child, regardless of gender or caste, had the right to learn.

Her fight was not limited to education alone. She championed the cause of women’s rights, advocating for the dignity and self-worth of widows, fighting against child marriage, and supporting widow remarriage. Savitribai was a poet and a thinker, whose writings challenged the social norms and inspired a movement towards equality and justice.

As we stand here today, let us remember the legacy of Savitribai Phule. Let us recognize that our fight for equality, for education, and for the rights of women and the marginalized, continues. Savitribai’s life teaches us that change is possible, but it requires courage, perseverance, and an unwavering belief in the power of education.

In honor of Savitribai Phule, let us commit ourselves to the cause of education and equality. Let us work towards a world where every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute to society. Let us ensure that the light Savitribai lit continues to shine, guiding our path towards a more just and equitable world.

Thank you.

Savirtribai Phule University

Savitribai Phule Pune University, formerly known as the University of Pune, is one of India’s premier institutions of higher education and research, located in the vibrant city of Pune, Maharashtra. Established on February 10, 1949, the university has been named after the 19th-century Indian social reformer Savitribai Phule, who was a pioneering figure in female education in India. This renaming serves as a tribute to her significant contributions to education and empowerment of women in the Indian subcontinent.

Spread over a sprawling 411-acre campus, the university boasts a picturesque locale that combines natural beauty with architectural elegance. It offers a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs across various disciplines, including science, commerce, arts, languages, management studies, and technology. The university is recognized for its high academic standards, research contributions, and distinguished faculty, attracting students from all over India and the world.

Savitribai Phule Pune University has made significant strides in research and innovation, hosting several research institutes and centers of excellence within its campus. It collaborates with industrial and academic partners globally, facilitating a rich exchange of knowledge and fostering an environment conducive to cutting-edge research.

The university is also known for its vibrant campus life, with various cultural and extracurricular activities providing students with a holistic educational experience. Its alumni network is distinguished, with many graduates making notable contributions in various fields such as academia, industry, politics, and social service.

Official Education of Savitribai Phule

After she married, Jyotirao educated Savitribai Phule. Jyotirao took his wife to a school to receive training, and both she and another woman, Fatima Sheikh, passed with flying colors.

Following that, two teacher-training programs were enrolled by Savitribai Phule. A program at the Normal School of Pune housed the second program, which was overseen by American missionary Cynthia Farrar.

Finally, at Vishrambag Wada, Pune, the emancipated husband and wife opened India’s first school for girls in 1848.

There were just nine enrolled girls, all from distinct castes. Later on, there were twenty-five. Alongside her fellow trainee, Fatima Sheikh, and Jyotirao’s liberated aunt, Sagunabai, Savitribai taught while holding the position of headmistress.

The First Female Teacher in India – Savitribai Phule

1. In addition to being the first female teacher in India, Savitribai Phule was also nominated as the country’s first female headmistress on January 1, 1848, when the Phule couple established the country’s first school at Bhide Wada in Pune.
2. Savitribai found it extremely difficult to teach at the girls’ school. On her journey to teaching, she endured countless insults and heard derogatory remarks directed at her.
3. The first female teacher in India was being followed to her job by groups of conservative males. They threw stones, tomatoes, cow dung, and rotten eggs. They used vulgar language to attack her.
4. People were outraged and startled by this couple’s arrogance in trying to educate women. Some who were regressive said that Jyotirao would die young and that Savitribai would lose him to worms from the food he ate. According to Pramila Dandavate, “It was believed that if a woman started writing, she would write letters to all and sundry.”

The First Female Poets of India – Savitribai Phule

1. In India, the first female poetess was also the first female educator and teacher. Her poems in “Kavya Phule” (1934) and “Bavan Kashi Subodh Ratnakar” (1982), which explore caste and gender, still have an impact on us today.
2. When Savitribai was only 23 years old, “Kavya Phule” was released.
3. She also penned a poem titled “Go, Get Education,” which exhorted readers to educate themselves in order to break free from oppression.

Foundation of RTE and Midday Meal Schemes:

Although midday meal programs and the Right to Education Act are relatively new ideas, Savitribai and Jyotiba Phule laid the groundwork for them about 170 years ago by providing stipends to students in an effort to lower the school dropout rate. By attending to each and every student’s health at school, they took steps to lower childhood malnutrition.

Honored by the British Government

With increasing influence, Savitribai Phule founded more schools for women and girls before receiving recognition from the British government for her outstanding achievements.

1. The British government celebrated the Phule family on November 16, 1852, for their contributions to education, and Savitribai was named the best teacher. The pair founded no fewer than eighteen schools for women between 1848 and 1852.
2. She and her spouse received a shawl as a token of appreciation for their labor in Vishrambag Wada, Pune, in 1852.
3. She continued to strive for the gradual questioning and elimination of numerous other social problems. Savitribai did everything she could to improve the status of women, from adopting her son Yashwant after her husband saved a pregnant lady who was going to commit suicide to founding Balhatya Pratibandhak Griha, a delivery home for women in forced pregnancies.

Challenging the Casteist Patriarchy

In addition, Phule fought to eradicate the unequal treatment of individuals based on their gender and caste. She passed away while tending to patients during the global Third Pandemic of the bubonic plague, a bacterial infection, because she believed that treating untouchables was difficult. Phule also worked to abolish caste.

Mahila Seva Mandal

In 1852, Savitribai Phule founded Mahila Seva Mandal, an organization dedicated to educating women about human rights, the value of life, and other social concerns. After criticizing them for shaving the heads of young widows, the pair went on to organize the first-ever barbers strike. They also allowed everyone access to their own water reservoir as a demonstration against the sin of untouchability.

On Widow Remarriage and the Elimination of Caste Discrimination

1. She organized a campaign against child marriage and encouraged all the women to sit on the same mattress in an effort to end caste discrimination.
2. Savitribai Phule supported widow remarriage as well.
3. Savitribai and her husband started a number of awareness programs that inspired individuals like Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi to oppose caste inequality.

A Strong Feminist

The Mahila Seva Mandal was founded in 1852 by feminist icon Savitribai to promote women’s rights. All castes were welcome to attend the women’s gathering that Savitribai organized, and everyone was required to sit on the same mat.

Home for the Prevention of Infanticide

In her home, she also established the Home for the Prevention of Infanticide, a place where Brahmin widows may give birth to their children in safety. If they were unable to care for the child, they might abandon it there. As a matter of fact, Savitribai also adopted Yashwant, a newborn from the shelter. She advocated for widow remarriage while also fighting against child marriage.

Started Night School

The Phule couple established a night school in 1855 for laborers and farmers. Since many oppressed individuals could only be reached at night and did not have the choice of attending regular schools, the Phule couple founded the night school in order to meet their requirements.

Satyashodhak Samaj in 1873

Phules’s public engagement started in the early 1870s. At the time, Brahmin leaders founded groups like Arya Samaj, Brahmo Samaj, and Prarthana Samaj, which may have been exclusive to Brahmin interests. In response to the need for a group that promoted non-Brahmin interests, Jyotiba and associates founded Satyashodhak Samaj in 1873. Savitribai continued the organization’s activity when Jyotiba passed away in 1890. She also presided over the annual assembly held in Saswad in 1893. In those days, it was revolutionary enough for a woman to chair a session.

She arranged the first Satyashodhak marriage, which was performed without the use of a dowry, Brahmin priests, or traditional Brahmin ceremonies. Yashwant, too, entered into an inter-caste Satyashodhak marriage.

Well for Untouchables

Savitribai Phule and Mahatma Jyotiba Phule opened the well in their home for the use of untouchables during a period when even the shadow of an untouchable was seen as filthy and people refused to give thirsty untouchables water. The Brahmins were given a challenge to alter their attitude towards untouchables. Sadly, the unwholesome beliefs of the so-called higher castes have not altered, and Dalits, or untouchables, continue to fight for their right to water. This has been the case for nearly 200 years.

Role of Savitribai Phule in Women’s Education

Education was viewed by Savitribai Phule and her husband as a means of improving the lives of those from socially marginalized groups.

In an effort to eliminate the myth that women lack the capacity for education, she advocated for education. Savitribai Phule and her spouse realized that combating inequality requires education.

Savitribai Phule devoted her life to teaching women to promote social change. She became India’s first female school teacher in 1849.

Jyotiba and Savitribai Phule were forced to leave their families in 1849 because the concept of teaching women was viewed as evil at the time, and their efforts were labeled as anti-social.

She and her husband opened three schools for 150 female students in Pune by the end of 1851.

Key facts about Savitribai Phule

Post Stamp in Honor

On March 10, 1998—a hundred years after Savitribai Phule passed away—India Post issued a stamp in her honor.

University Of Pune Renamed as Savitribai Phule Pune University

University of Pune changed its name to Savitribai Phule Pune University in 2015

In her honor, the University of Pune changed its name to Savitribai Phule Pune University in 2015.

Google released a Google Doodle on January 3, 2017, to commemorate Savitribai Phule’s 186th birthday.

Conclusion

Generations after her are still motivated by the relentless efforts of Savitribai to combat the enduring social ills and by the numerous positive changes she left behind.

She was a driving force behind the social reform movement in Maharashtra and, like B. R. Ambedkar and Annabhau Sathe, is regarded as an icon of the Dalit Mang caste. She aggressively sought to remove prejudice based on gender and caste and ran a campaign against untouchability. Maharashtrian women social activists are given the Savitribai Phule Prize.

FAQs on Biography of Savitribai Phule:

Why is Savitribai Phule famous?

She was the woman who helped set up the first school for girls in India. Savitribai Phule was a trailblazer in providing education for girls and for ostracized portions of society. She became the first female teacher in India in 1848 and opened a school for girls with her husband, Jyotirao Phule.

Which was the first school in India founded by Savitribai Phule?

Bhide-wada Not long after beginning to teach with Sagunabai, Savitribai and Jyotirao Phule, along with Sagunabai, started their own school at Bhide-Wada. Bhidewada was the home of Tatya Saheb Bhide, who was inspired by the work that the trio was doing.

What is the family background of Savitribai Phule?

Savitribai Phule was born on January 3, 1831, in Naigaon village, Maharashtra. She was the eldest daughter of Lakshmi and Khandoji Neveshe Patil. At the tender age of nine, she was married to Jyotirao Phule, who was thirteen years old at the time and one of the most famous social reformers in Maharashtra.

Which caste is Savitribai Phule?

She was born in Maharashtra (Naigaon-Satara) on January 3, 1831. She was born to parents belonging to the Mali community, which falls under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category today.

What is the slogan of Savitribai Phule?

Savitribai Phule’s Quotes: We Shall Overcome, and Success Will Be Ours in the Future.