Savitribai Phule was born on January 3, 1831, in Naigaon, located in the Satara district of Maharashtra. She was married at the tender age of 9 to Jyotirao Phule, in accordance with the customs of that time. Jyotirao Phule, who later became known as Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, had in Savitribai a true life partner who supported him in his struggles and public service.

Savitribai realized that she was the wife of a noble man who was deeply disturbed and concerned about the plight of the untouchables. They often discussed the progress and well-being of these marginalized communities. After much thought, they concluded that the root cause of many social evils and the misery of the untouchables was their lack of education. Women’s conditions were even worse. Thus, they understood the necessity of educating women and began their social service with this mission. Savitribai started by learning to read and write from her husband.

In 1848, Jyotirao opened his first school for girls in Budhwar Peth, Pune. History confirms that Jyotirao was the first Indian to open a school for girls on a non-governmental level. He himself taught the girls. When the girls started attending the school, the orthodox community in Pune did not take it well. In their eyes, educating women was a grave sin. Knowing Jyotirao’s determination, they began to slander his character to thwart his efforts. Jyotirao realized that it was essential to have a female teacher to continue this work.

At that time, the very idea of a female teacher was unimaginable. Jyotirao entrusted this responsibility to his wife, Savitribai, whom he had already prepared by teaching her at home. Savitribai eagerly took on this role. Later, she also completed the teacher training program at Mrs. Mitchell’s Normal School, becoming the first trained female teacher in Maharashtra. At that time, she was only 17 years old. To my knowledge, she can be considered the first trained female teacher in all of India.

After completing her training, she became the headmistress of the girls’ school started in Mr. Bhide’s house. In the conservative society of that time, Savitribai’s role as a teacher was seen as an act of rebellion against religion and society. As she walked to and from the school, she faced harassment, with people throwing dirt, dung, and even stones at her. However, Savitribai faced these obstacles with patience, courage, and fearlessness.

In the company of Jyotirao, Savitribai understood that such obstacles, challenges, and difficulties would come at every step. She also knew that educating women was essential for their upliftment, progress, and a happy life. It was the key to breaking their chains of bondage. During this time, she had the opportunity to read the biography of Thomas Clarkson, who fought to free the slaves. This reinforced her belief that until the backward classes, untouchables, the poor, and women were educated, they would not realize their enslavement.

Jyotirao and Savitribai Phule started the mission of educating the downtrodden and backward communities. This did not sit well with the prominent people of society. Orthodox individuals filled Jyotirao’s father’s ears with tales of how his son and daughter-in-law were working against religion.

It is noteworthy that the path Jyotirao Phule was treading was full of thorns. Their financial condition was not good, as Jyotirao had not accepted government services despite his qualifications. Hence, they constantly faced economic hardships. Socially, the circumstances were also against them. This was evident when Jyotirao’s father expelled him from the house in 1849, presenting him with the choice to either stop running the school or leave the house.

Jyotirao refused to close the school. As he began packing his books and clothes, Savitribai asked him what his command for her was. Jyotirao replied, “You are capable of making your own decisions.”

Savitribai promptly declared, “You have made me capable, and I will not be separate from you. I will go with you.”

Savitribai’s decision was not an ordinary one. She had married Jyotirao at a young age when she was innocent and unaware. However, she was mature and understanding at the time of this decision. With this decision, she seemed to have embraced the challenges, difficulties, and hardships that came with Jyotirao. From this perspective, she appears not only as an ideal partner but also as a woman capable of energizing her husband while equally participating in his work and struggles. By breaking the social norms of the time, Savitribai Phule proved to be an effective and inspiring figure. Throughout their life journey, she actively supported her husband’s work.

Savitribai lived a simple life, wearing khadi clothes. It is believed that khadi gained importance in the country around 1905-1906, but Jyotirao and Savitribai Phule had adopted it long before.

From 1848 to 1852, the Phule couple opened 18 schools for the backward and poor children. Savitribai played a significant role in these schools as a teacher, headmistress, and administrator. She also developed and implemented the curriculum for these schools.

The Phule couple started a school in a temple in an untouchable community to educate the children of untouchables. However, the number of students decreased after a few days. Upon investigation, it was found that the parents of untouchable children were scared. They believed that if their children started reading, they would be ostracized from society and condemned to hell for seven generations.

When Jyotirao inquired, he found that this was the work of some orthodox individual. He then explained to the parents that the British government had said that if they did not educate the untouchable children, their 14 generations would go to hell. This improved the situation. However, Savitribai had to go from house to house to bring the untouchable children to school.

On February 12, 1852, an open examination of the girls’ schools established by the Phule couple was conducted. Many citizens and distinguished individuals attended, including Judge Mr. Brown. He remarked that if women were educated, there would be an increase in happiness and utility in their homes. Only a few people in the country were thinking in this direction and striving to uplift the nation. He was pleased to know that the Phule couple was active in this direction. The girls not only performed well in the open examination, but it was also a testament to Savitribai’s hard work, dedication, and social commitment, as she was their teacher.

In 1855, the Phule couple established a night school in Pune, where laborers, farmers, and housewives who worked during the day could receive an education. This was the first night school in India, and Savitribai played a crucial role in its operation.

Some of the children who came to study at the schools were taken in by Jyotirao into his own home. Savitribai nurtured them like a mother.

Later, they opened an orphanage to provide shelter for orphaned children. Continuing their work, they established a home to prevent child infanticide, where widows could safely leave their newborns. Jyotirao and Savitribai were the caretakers of these children.

The greatness of the Phule couple is evident from the fact that they adopted one of these children, educated him to become a doctor, and named him Dr. Yashwant. They made him the heir to their property.

Savitribai was an ideal religious reformer. Along with her husband, she helped advance the activities of the Satyashodhak Samaj (Society of Truth Seekers). After Jyotirao’s death, she successfully led the Satyashodhak Samaj for eight years.

In 1897, when the plague epidemic spread in Pune and its surrounding villages, Savitribai went door-to-door, bringing patients to her son Yashwant for treatment. During this time, she herself fell victim to the disease. This noble light passed away on March 10, 1897, merging with the Almighty. Her demise extinguished a torch of truth and service that had illuminated humanity.

Savitribai was a thoughtful thinker. One of her statements that reveals the originality of her thoughts is noteworthy: “For two thousand years, the so-called superior people have kept the Shudras and Ati-Shudras deprived of knowledge, wealth, and political power. The Aryans, who came from outside, attacked and conquered the original inhabitants here. A handful of Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas, due to their arrogance and pride, later fought the foreigners alone without involving the common people. They didn’t even acknowledge us, the so-called lower classes. The foreigners defeated them and humiliated them. Therefore, they are responsible for the repeated defeats of the country.”

In summary, the life, struggles, and contributions of Savitribai Phule are painted in the colors of revolution. Her revolutionary spirit gains even more significance in the context of the 19th century when women were seen as nothing more than objects of adornment or pleasure. In such adverse conditions, Savitribai’s services are deep lines etched on the chest of time, turning pathways into open roads for future generations. In today’s context, Savitribai’s revolutionary spirit is an exemplary path for women in society.