Savitribai Phule- Marathi Female Educationist & Social Reformer- Information

Savitribai Phule (January 3, 1831 - March 10, 1897) was a Marathi Educationist and social reformer. 

She and her husband, Jyotirao Phule, were instrumental in the early phases of Maharashtra's women's education.

Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule

 Early Life

On January 3, in the village of  Naigaon in Satara district Savitribai was born in 1831. Her mother's name is Lakshmibai and her father's name is Khandoji Nevse Patil. Savitribai was born during a period when women did not have the same rights as men. Savitribai was married to Jyotirao Phule on Falgun Krishna Panchami, Shalivahan Shaka 1765 (1840) At the time of marriage, Savitribai was nine years old and Jyotirao was Thirteen. that is, according to the custom of the time, the marriage was considered late. Savitri's father-in-law Govindrao Phule was originally from Kshirsagar, Fursungi, but the He moved to Pune after Peshwas offered him land for a flower garden, and his flower business gave him the surname Phule. 

                  Savitribai's husband Jyotirao lost his mother when he was only nine months old. and Jyotirao was taken care of  by his mother's sister Sagunabai. Sagunabai was worked as a midwife for the son of an English officer. She knew and could speak English. She used her knowledge to inspire Jyotirao. Jyotirao was also attracted to education. Savitribai was uneducated at the time of her marriage. Savitribai was educated at home by Jyotirao. After Jyotirao completed her basic school, his friends Sakharam Yeshwant Paranjpe and Keshav Shivram Bhavalkar were in charge of her secondary education. In addition, she enrolled in two teacher-training programmes. The first was at an Ahmednagar institution run by Cynthia Farrar, an American missionary. The second course was held at a Pune Normal School. Savitribai may have been the first Indian woman teacher and headmistress, based on her education. Savitribai's birthday, January 3rd, is commemorated as Balika Din throughout Maharashtra, particularly in Girls' schools. 

Savitribai provided excellent support to Jyotirao's work

Despite the fact that Savitribai had no children of her own, she loved the poor and orphans as if they were her own. Savitribai was a fantastic supporter of Jyotiba's work. She put up with all of the criticism and suffering in order to strive for the improvement of society. While Jotiba Phule (Jyotirao) and Savitribai were engaged in their spiritual labour, Jyotirao established a public water tank for the untouchables.

Jotirao's father tried to dissuade them from this work. He believed that his work of reforming society would bring disgrace to religion and that forty-two generations would go to hell. Savitribai aware of  her husband's goal. She Said ‘Sethji, don’t take a step back, I also wants you to learn '….  With these words, she gave strength to her husband. Jyotirao also found a new way. He taught Savitribai by himself.

In the middle of the nineteenth century, at a time when in a country with a conservative tradition like India, woman had only a place in society, a woman had no status in the society. Jyotirao, In 1848, the first school for girls was started. Since he could not find a teacher to work in the school, Jyotirao taught his illiterate wife to read and write at home. She was later appointed as a teacher. Savitribai Phule began educating girls at the Maharwada in Pune after completing her teacher's education. She accomplished it with the help of Sagunabai, a revolutionary feminist and Jotirao's mentor.

Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule gave a new direction through education. As there was no education facility in Pune. During that time She started and ran 2-3 girls' schools in other parts of Pune for some time. Initially there were six girls in the school, but by the end of 1848 the number had increased to 40-45. This successful school was welcomed by the Sanatani upper castes as "Dharma Budala". After many struggles, this educational project continued.

Gradually, the number of girls in their girls' school began to rise. At the time, this was a matter of discussion in Pune. Savitribai's terror was created in society as a result of this effort. 

 Marathi Female Educationist and social Reformer

                 She started a school for dalits in Saint Chokhamela temple. She was praised by the British government for her work. While teaching, She was mentally and to some extent physically abused by her relatives, society and Sanatan. As She walked down the street, She was insulted by people, dung was thrown at her, and household rubbish was also thrown at her.  But She  feel like the flowers of  hospitality have blossomed.  All these acts seemed to be an incentive for her to teach the students. 

Once, while going to school, the goons in the chowk  blocked  Savitribai's way and threatened, "Stop teaching girls and Mahar-mangana, otherwise your reputation will not be intact." Hearing this, Savitribai slapped him. Savitribai possessed incredible fortitude and tenacity.

Social Work

Savitribai was able to face such crises. In Bhide Wada, Savitribai and her husband Jyotirao Phule founded the first girl's school in Pune. While Dadoba Pandurang Tarkhadkar  was the supervisor of government school, he remarked that it was commendable that the school had made good progress in such a short time.

                 Savitribai recognized that in order to spread education, it is necessary to work in other social sectors as well, to increase the confidence of women. She also curtailed some cruel traditions. In those days Many girls who get married at an early age become widows at the age of twelve or thirteen. After the death of her husband, widow either had to go for sati or have her hair cut. The widow was considered unlucky. They were made ugly, These widows, who did not have the right to protest, would then fall prey to someone else. These widows would commit suicide or kill their fetuses, thinking that society would persecute them as pregnant widows and that their unborn child would get nothing but torture.

widows had their hair cut because it was customary for a widow to live like a nun. those women had to wear white Saree. Savitribai had seen firsthand the plight of  these women who were locked up in their homes.

 She thought that the practice of  hairdressing should be abolished, but as people were not listening, Then  Jyotirao and Savitribai called a meeting of all the barbers. They made realize that it is a great sin to run a razor on our sisters. The Barbers  also became aware of  it and supported it.

                  Savitribai and Jyotirao Phule started a Balhatya Pratibandhak Griha. she was aware of the plight of child widows and established a child murder prevention home as female feticide was also rampant. Savitribai considered all the orphans in the house as her own children.

She worked hard to educate and emancipate child widows, advocated for widow remarriage, and campaigned against child marriage and sati pratha. She is regarded as an icon of the Dalit Mang caste, alongside B. R. Ambedkar and Annabhau Sathe. She was a key player in Maharashtra's social reform movement. She was an outspoken opponent of untouchability and a tireless advocate for the abolition of caste and gender inequality.

Savitribai was also heavily involved in the work of Satyashodhak Samaj

 Even after the death of  Mahatma Phule (1890), Savitribai continued to work for the Satyashodhak Samaj was held in Saswad and its president was Savitribai. In it, She articulated her thoughts. 

She also spread her ideas through her literature.

She wrote 'Kavyaphule' and 'Bavanakshi Subodh Ratnakar'.  Her speeches were later published.

During the famine of 1896, Savitribai set an example of good deeds for the society.  She freed the prostitutes from the clutches of the wicked and sent them to seek refuge in truth-seeking families. People like Pandita Ramabai and Gaikwad government extended a helping hand to her work.

On March 10, 1897, there was a plague in Pune. This life-threatening disease began to claim many lives. Upon learning that the disease was contagious, the British government took precautionary measures to forcibly remove and relocate potential patients. Recognizing the situation arising out of  this,

She started a hospital for plague victims at Sasane's hill near Pune .She began to support the patients and their families.

Savitribai also contracted plague while serving plague patients. Unfortunately, Savitribai was surrounded by a plague and this revolutionary woman said goodbye to the world.

Savitribai Phule died on 10th March 1897.