There have been many great personalities in Indian history who dedicated their lives for an egalitarian society. One of these personalities was Savitribai Phule. When we think of the beginning of women’s education in the history of Indian education, we remember Savitribai Phule. She started women’s education in the country at a time when it was very difficult for women to leave the house. In the struggle to give women the weapon of education, Savitribai Phule had to face opposition from the society, insults, stones and many other things, only then she was able to give the aura of education to women. At the same time, Savitribai Phule has also made an important contribution in social reform. In such a situation, to remember the great life, struggle and thoughts of Savitribai and to spread it in the society, her birth date is celebrated every year on 3 January as Savitribai Phule Jayanti.
If we look at Savitribai’s life surrounded by struggles, we come to know that Savitribai was born on 3 January 1831 in Naigaon village of Satara district of Maharashtra. Savitri’s mother’s name was Lakshmibai and father’s name was Khandoji. The era of Savitribai’s birth was a time when the society was full of complex inequalities. The society’s thinking about education was that the right to education was only for upper class men. Women and Dalits are ineligible for such things as education. In such a situation, this unforgiving mentality of the society deprived Savitribai even of primary education. As time passed, Savitribai Phule got married to the great social reformer Mahatma Jyotiba Phule at an early age in 1840. Savitribai Phule, who remained uneducated till the age of marriage, was educated by her husband Jyotiba Phule after marriage.
After tasting the nectar of education, Savitribai opened the country’s first girls’ school in Pune, Maharashtra in 1848. He opened 18 schools which provided education to girls and children from deprived communities. In 1853 he established the Infanticide Prevention Home. Widow women could give birth to their children in this house. If these widows were forced to be unable to support their children, they could leave the house. Savitribai opened a night school for the laborers so that the laborers were not deprived of education.
During the time of Savitribai Phule, Dalits were not allowed to drink water from the well. Then Savitribai built a well for the Dalits. Where Dalit people used water. Apart from this, Savitribai did not have any child in her married life. Then Savitri and her husband Jyotiba Phule adopted the son of a Brahmin widow. Which was opposed by his family. Then, he severed ties with his family.
It is said that when Savitribai Phule went to school to teach girls, the opponents of women’s education in Pune used to throw cow dung and stones at her. She carried an extra saree in her bag every day and changed her saree after reaching school.
savitribai phule quotes
A strong educated woman can build a civilized society, break the chains of caste, make education her weapon, educate the underprivileged, they will change the world. Women are not only made to work in the kitchen and fields, they can do the work better than men. Before anyone thinks you are weak, you have to understand the importance of education tells us, in earlier times women were also witches, patriarchal society would never want women to be equal to them.
While opposing the evil practices, Savitribai Phule, along with her husband Jyotiba Phule, founded Satyashodhak Samaj to fight various evils prevalent in the society like caste system, dowry system etc. Which gave a new direction to the social reform movement. If we look at the thoughts of Savitribai, we come to know that her views regarding education were very strong. His ideas are as relevant today as they were before.
Savitribai believed that education opens heaven and gives an opportunity to know oneself. Reading is important to live with self-respect. She used to say that school is the true gem of that society which loves the gems of its time.
Savitribai Phule believed that education should be the only measure of one’s merit rather than caste and religion. That’s why she especially told women that education is more important than utensils. Education is the key to every woman’s liberation. Women’s rights are not a privilege but an aspect of humanity. He believed that daughters should be taught before marriage so that they can understand the difference between right and wrong. Before anyone considers you weak, you have to understand the importance of education.
Savitribai Phule, an advocate of social justice, believed that social justice is achieved when marginalized people are heard and uplifted. He advocated moral values like equality, freedom, humanism, brotherhood. Adopting these values, he dedicated his life to social change. Savitribai also used to say that as atrocities against victims increase, they become more entitled to education. Free the minds of victims by awakening and educating them
leave this world
The plague epidemic was at its peak during the year 1897. At that time Savitribai was seriously treating and taking care of the patients. In such a situation, Savitribai Phule, who sacrificed her life for the upliftment of women, exploited and backward classes, breathed her last on 10 March 1897 and said goodbye to the world. Savitribai Phule was a great teacher, social reformer as well as a poet. A profound idea of Savitribai’s life experience was that if you do not have knowledge, education and intelligence and you do not even want it, then how can you be called a human being? It can be learned from the life of Savitribai that we are born on earth but it is our sacrifice, dedication, struggle and love on earth that makes us human.
