Savitribai Phule Biography 
Savitribai Phule was a social reformer who played a key role in improving women's rights in India during the British Rule, aside her husband, Jyotirao Phule - another famous social reformer. Savitribai was the first female teacher of the first women's school in India and was a famous poetess of Marathi literature. In 1852 she opened a school for Untouchable girls. Though she received bad remarks for her good deeds from the Indian society, she continued with her social service and now regarded as one among the great women social leaders of India, before independence.
Savitribai Phule was born in Naigaon village in Satara district to her mother LaxmiBai and father Khandoji Navse Patil on January 3, 1831. She got married at the age of 8 to Phule. SavitriBai set up a school for SagunaAau on May 1, 1847 with support from her husband. Savitri worked as a teacher also. But the school was stopped due to lack of support from lower caste people. They started their second school at Bhide Wada in Pune. Jyotirao is regarded as one of the most important figures in the social reform movement in Maharashtra, and under his strong influence, Savitribai too got attracted to social reform movement.
She stood up with women’s education in the male nominated society. She worked for women’s liberation, widow remarriages and removal of untouchability. In those days, child marriages and Sati were practised. Those widows spared had to live a miserable life, often become the easy targets of depraved men. Those practices often resulted in unwanted pregnancies and orphans born. Jyoti Rao started a home for the pregnant widows and orphaned children and Savitri ran this organization. Their delivery home, where deserted ladies took refuge was called "Balhatya Pratibandhak Griha".She was also was the first woman to light her husband's pyre in the history of India.
Published: N/A
Updated: January 21, 2014
