Savitribai Phule Death Anniversary: Know The Facts About India’s First Woman Teacher

New Delhi:  Savitribai Phule is well known as the first female teacher in India. She played a crucial role in the social reform movement, particularly in Maharashtra. She fights for the voice of women along with her husband Jyotirao. Savitribai died on March 10th, 1897 due to the bubonic plague at the age of 66.

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Remembering social reformer and India’s first woman teacher, Savitribai Phule on her death anniversary.#MoCRemembers #AmritMahotsav pic.twitter.com/ka47hrKJzP

— Ministry of Culture (@MinOfCultureGoI) March 10, 2023

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On the occasion of her death anniversary, here are some facts about the life of a social reformer, thinker, writer, and activist:

1. She was born in Naigaon village in the Satara district of Maharashtra in a family of farmers.
2. Savitribai Phule was married to her husband Jyotirao Phule at the tender age of 9 who was 13 during that time.
3. She set up India’s first women’s school for different castes in Bhidewada, Pune along with her husband. She became the first woman teacher in the country. She built 18 such schools in her lifetime.
4. In 1848, only nine students took admission to the first girl’s school. Savitribai used to teach there and give stipends to prevent the students from dropping out.
5. She also motivated students to complete their education.
6. Savitribai Phule is often hailed as the mother of Indian feminism.
7. In 1998, India Post released a stamp in honour of Savitribai as she fought against various ills in society and worked for the upliftment of women.
8. Savitribai Phule also instituted a care centre for pregnant rape victims and helped in their delivery.
9. Savitribai along with her adopted son, Yashwant, began a clinic in 1897 at Pune for the treatment of people suffering from the Third Pandemic of the bubonic plague. Due to this, she herself caught the disease.
10. She installed a well in her own house for oftenly regarded as ‘untouchables’ or exploited class, to eliminate the stigma of untouchability from the society.
11. Savitribai also founded the Satyashodhak Samaj along with Jyotirao Phule to perform marriages, especially inter-caste, without priests and dowry.