Rukhmabai Raut (English: Rukhmabai Raut, born- 22 November, 1864; died- 25 September, 1955) was the first female doctor of India. She was also at the center of a historic legal case, which resulted in the law called ‘Age of Consent Act, 1891’. Rukhmabai wanted to become a doctor and wanted to serve the people. Her decision got the support of family and people. For this, a fund was prepared to send her to the ‘London School of Medicine’ and study. Rukhmabai graduated from there and returned to India in 1895. Rukhmabai chose the Mahila Hospital of Surat. She practiced as a doctor all her life. Dr. Rukhmabai was also a social reformer, who raised her voice against many evils and spoke openly for women and child rights.
Introduction
Rukhmabai was born on 22 November 1864 in Mumbai in the carpenter community. Her father’s name was Janardan Pandurang and mother’s name was Jayantibai. After the death of Janardan Pandurang, Jayantibai handed over her property to 8-year-old Rukhmabai. Rukhmabai was married to Dadaji Bhikaji at the age of eleven against her wishes. Child marriage was common at that time. Although she was allowed to complete her education, her husband Dadaji Bhikaji Raut gradually forced her to live with him. In March 1884, Dadaji filed a petition in the Mumbai High Court to restore his marital rights over his wife, the decision of which came in Dadaji’s favor. The court said that either he should accept the court’s decision or he will have to go to jail. Rukhmabai told the British government that she would prefer to stay in jail rather than being entangled in marital relations with her husband.[1]
Years ago, when there were no rights for women, Rukhmabai fought for her rights and stood against child marriage. She questioned the validity of marriage at the age of 11. Her husband was 19 years old at that time. She refused to live with her husband citing poverty and poor health. In 1885, the decision of the judges rejected Dadaji Bhikaji’s claim of conjugal rights. However, in the year 1888, an agreement was reached between Rukhmabai and Dadaji, in view of which Rukhmabai compensated her husband and got complete freedom from the marriage.
India’s first woman doctor
Rukhmabai, who became famous as the ‘Hindu Lady’, wrote many letters in newspapers and received a lot of support. When she expressed her desire to study, funds were raised in her support, which enabled her to study at the London School of Medicine in England. Rukhmabai was encouraged by Dr. Edith Peche at Cama Hospital, who helped raise funds for her education. Rukhmabai went to England in 1889. She was assisted by suffragette activists Eva Maclaren and Walter Maclaren and the Countess of Dufferin’s Fund to provide medical aid to women in India. Adelaide Manning and many others helped set up a fund called the Rukhmabai Defence Committee. Contributors included Shivajirao Holkar, who showed courage to intervene against traditions and donated Rs 500. Rukhmabai went to Edinburgh for her final exams and returned to India in 1894 to join a hospital in Surat. In 1904, Bhikaji died and Rukhmabai wore the white sari of widows in Hindu tradition. In 1918 Rukhmabai rejected an offer to join the Women’s Medical Service and joined a state hospital for women in Rajkot. She served as chief medical officer for thirty-five years, retiring in Mumbai in 1929–1930. She continued her work for reform and published ‘Purdah-The Necessity of Its Abolition’.
film on rukhmabai
Rukmabai’s story has been included in novels and films. Tannishtha Chatterjee, who is an Indian actress, has proved her acting ability in films like ‘Angry Indian Goddess’, ‘Shadows of Time’, ‘Parched’ and ‘Doctor Rukmabai’. When Tannishtha came to participate in Jagran Film Festival, her film ‘Doctor Rukmabai’ was released. Tannishtha, who has won the Best Actress title at the New York Film Festival for the film ‘Dekh Indian Circus’, made full preparations to play the role of Rukmabai and tried to do justice to the character. Tannishtha Chatterjee said that – “Rukmabai was the first female doctor of India. Since she died in 1955, I did not get the chance to meet her, but I read her biography to prepare for my role. Her story is fascinating. She is an inspiration for women. I am lucky that I got a chance to play her role.”
Respect
In the British era, when only people from big or special families could get higher education, Rukhmabai from an ordinary family got higher education and chose a difficult profession like doctoring. After which she became the first Indian woman doctor in that era. Rukhmabai worked as a chief medical officer for thirty-five years in her lifetime. Even after getting married at a young age, Rukhmabai completed her studies and became a doctor. On the occasion of Rukhmabai’s 153rd birth anniversary, Google honored her by making a doodle. In the doodle, Rukhmabai is shown as a sad woman and the staff around her is also shown serving the patients.
Death
Dr. Rukmabai died on September 25, 1955.
