Women Education in Past India by Arva Ismail Piplodwala

How many times do we hear the words women education and are disappointed? How many times do we know that women education is the same as men’s education and yet know that it is not? How many times are we aware of women being deprived of studying and yet there is very little that we do anything about it?

The similar was the case in Past India, a culturally rich country in the continent of Asia. The women education in Past India during the 18th century was not very proactive. Women's education was limited and often discouraged. The prevailing attitudes and cultural norms of the time viewed women as inferior and their primary role was seen as being a wife and mother serving her family. Her life was restricted to household and domestic chores. Furthermore, there were social and cultural barriers that prevented women from pursuing education. Women were expected to be obedient to their fathers and husbands and to prioritize their domestic duties over any personal pursuits.

However, there were some exceptions to this, particularly in the royal courts and among certain religious communities. Women in the royal courts had access to education and were often trained in the arts, music, and literature. Some women also received education through religious institutions, such as convents or ashrams.

Despite these exceptions, the vast majority of women in India during the 18th century were not afforded the opportunity for education.

It wasn't until the 19th century with the arrival of British colonialism in India that efforts were made to improve women's education. Missionary schools were established that provided education to girls, and some Indian reformers began advocating for women's education as a means of promoting social and economic progress.

Among these reformist was a women, a female reformist, a social activist, poet and an educationalist who changed the face of the women educational system in the Past India. She was none other than, SAVITRI BAI JYOTIRAO PHULE.

Savitri bai Jyotrirao Phule was an Indian social reformer, educationist, and poet who lived during the 19th century. She was born in 1831 in a small village in Maharashtra, India, and was married to Jyotirao Phule, who was also a social reformer and educationist.

Savitribai Phule played a significant role in the women's rights movement in India, particularly in the field of education. She was an Indian feminist who stood up for the rights of women education in Past India when everyone else remained silent.

Savitri bai Phule herself was uneducated at first. She did not know how to read or write. Since the early prevailing situation in the Past India did not encourage women’s education most of the women including her remained illiterate. It was only after her marriage at the age of 9 or 10 to the Indian social reformist and freedom fighter Jyoti rao Phule was she inspired to study and learn. Since there were not enough schools or colleges then, it was her husband Jyotirao who supported and educated his wife. Savitri bai along with her cousin Sagunabai studied under the knowledge and teachings of Jyotirao. Once Savitri bai completed her primary education with her husband.

Later she took up the responsibility to educate her other family and friends. She would invite people, specially women and children over to her home to learn to read and write. Similarly, she travelled home to home in her town and neighbouring places promoting women’s education and educating several along the way.

With the arrival of the British rule various efforts were made to facilitate women’s education. Schools and colleges were set up and girls education was now promoted more explicitly.

Taking advantage of the upcoming development in the field of education, Savitri bai enrolled herself in two teacher's training programs. The first was at an institution run by an American missionary, Cynthia Farrar, in Ahmednagar, and the second course was at a Normal School in Poona.

After completing her teacher’s training, later along with the help of her husband, Jyotirao Phule, Savitri bai founded the first school for girls in Pune in 1848 and became the first female teacher in India. However this act was a revolutionary step in a society where women's education was not encouraged rest alone women been a teacher herself.

She faced several agitated aggressions and protests from the society towards this initiative. Despite facing these oppositions from conservative elements of society, Savitribai Phule continued to work towards the education and upliftment of women. She opened several more schools for girls in Maharashtra and also started a home for widows and orphaned children.

Savitribai Phule was also a prolific writer and poet, and her works focused on social issues such as caste discrimination, gender inequality, and women's rights. She used her poetry as a means of spreading awareness and advocating for social reform.

Savitribai Phule's contributions to the field of education and social reform have been widely recognized in India, and she is considered a pioneer in the fight for women's rights and gender equality. She passed away in 1897, but her legacy continues to inspire generations of Indians to work towards a more just and equitable society.

As a women, today, I am more than thankful to this pioneer women who stood up for all the women of her times that paved the way for the women of today and shall for the women of tomorrow.

When it comes to women education in India we cannot forget to miss out on this significant name from the past: “SAVITRI BAI JYOTI RAO PHULE.”

Savitri Bai Jyoti Rao Phule

Savitri bai along with her husband, Jyoti Rao Phule on their way to educate the people of India