Savitribai Phule Death Anniversary: 10 Unknown Facts About India’s First Woman Teacher

Savitribai Phule Death Anniversary: A popular Indian reformer, educationist, and poet from Maharashtra, Savitribhai Phule is hailed as the first Indian woman teacher who established the first school for girls in Pune. She fought for the rights of women and raised her voice for equal rights and opportunities for all. Savitribai Phule passed away on March 18, 1897, due to bubonic plague. She not only fought for women’s rights but also against dowry and social evils that were obstructions to women's empowerment. She played an important role in improving women’s conditions and became the pioneer of women’s education in the country. Here are some unknown facts about Savitribai Phule.

Savitribai Phule Death Anniversary

Savitribai Phule is hailed as India's one of the first modern feminists.

Savitribai Phule was married at a young age and she fought against social evils like child marriage and sati pratha.

She not only worked for women's rights but also championed the cause of fighting against the practice of the corrupt caste system.

Savitribai Phule was not just a social reformer but also a philosopher and a poet. Her poetry mostly revolved around nature, education and the abolition of the caste system.

To encourage students to study and reduce the drop-out rate, she used to give stipends to children for attending school.

Savitribai Phule and her husband were honoured by the government for their commendable efforts in the field of education. Truly, Savitribai Phule was a lady ahead of her time.

Savitribai and Jyotirao Phule started India's first school for girls at Bhide Wada in 1848. The curriculum included mathematics, science, and social studies and was based on Western education.

In 1852, the British government acknowledged the great work of the Phule family in the field of education and honoured Savitribai by naming her the best teacher.

Savitribai organised a barbers' strike in both Mumbai and Pune to demonstrate their opposition to the practice of shaving the heads of widows.

Savitribai and her husband, who had no children of their own, adopted a boy named Yashwantrao.

In 1863, Jyotirao and Savitribai started the first-ever infanticide prohibition home in India called Balhatya Pratibandhak Griha, which helped pregnant Brahmin widows and rape victims deliver children.