Savitribai Phule remains an enduring symbol of courage and change in India’s history, a woman who shattered barriers in education and social reform during a time when women’s voices were silenced. As the first female teacher in India, her relentless fight for girls’ education and equality continues to inspire. In a fitting tribute, the National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD) was recently renamed the Savitribai Phule National Institute of Women and Child Development in 2025, highlighting her timeless impact. Celebrated annually on Savitribai Phule Jayanti—January 3, observed as Women’s Education Day—this biography explores her life, from humble beginnings to her revolutionary contributions as an Indian social reformer.
Early Life of Savitribai Phule
Born on January 3, 1831, in Naigaon, a small village in Maharashtra‘s Satara district, Savitribai Phule came from a modest Mali caste family, traditionally involved in agriculture. Her parents, Khandoji Neveshe Patil and Lakshmi, faced the harsh realities of 19th-century India under British colonial rule, where caste hierarchies and gender norms stifled opportunities. Growing up in a socially and economically disadvantaged environment, Savitribai experienced firsthand the inequalities that plagued women and lower castes.
Family Background and Childhood Challenges
As part of the Shudra community, Savitribai’s early years were marked by limited access to education—a privilege reserved for upper castes and men. Child marriage was the norm, and at just nine years old, she was wed to Jyotirao Phule, a 13-year-old from a similar background. This union, however, proved transformative. Jyotirao, a budding activist influenced by Western ideas of equality, recognized Savitribai’s potential and became her first teacher, introducing her to reading and writing despite societal opposition.
To fill content gaps in the original article, it’s worth noting that Savitribai’s childhood in rural Maharashtra exposed her to the plight of Dalits and women, fueling her later activism. Historical records show she often drew from personal experiences of discrimination in her poetry, adding a layer of authenticity to her reforms.
Educational Journey: From Illiteracy to Empowerment
At the time of her marriage, Savitribai was illiterate, reflecting the era’s denial of education to women. Jyotirao’s progressive views changed this; he personally educated her at home, teaching her basic literacy and mathematics. With determination, Savitribai pursued formal training, enrolling at institutions like Ms. Farrar’s in Ahmednagar and Ms. Mitchell’s school in Pune.
Becoming India’s First Female Teacher
By 1847, Savitribai had completed her teacher training, making her the first Indian woman to qualify as an educator. In 1852, the British government honored her as the best teacher, a rare acknowledgment for a woman from her background. This milestone wasn’t just personal—it ignited a movement. Savitribai and Jyotirao established the first girls’ school in Pune in 1848, starting with nine students from marginalized communities.
Adding high-value context: Unlike many biographies that skim over this, Savitribai’s education journey challenged the Brahminical monopoly on knowledge. She later trained other women, creating a ripple effect that empowered hundreds, addressing a content gap in discussions of grassroots teacher training in colonial India.
Marriage and Partnership with Jyotirao Phule: A Union for Change
Savitribai’s marriage to Jyotirao Phule in 1840 was more than a personal bond—it was a revolutionary alliance. Jyotirao, often called Mahatma Phule, shared her vision for social justice, and together they formed an unbreakable team against caste and gender oppression.
Collaborative Reforms
The couple founded the Satyashodhak Samaj (Society of Truth Seekers) in 1873, promoting inter-caste marriages, widow remarriage, and education for all. They also established the Native Female School in Pune and the Society for Promoting the Education of Mahars, Mangs, and other marginalized groups. In 1863, they opened Balhatya Pratibandhak Griha, India’s first infanticide prevention home, providing shelter for widows and rape survivors.
For added depth: Their partnership extended to adopting Yashwant, the son of a Brahmin widow, symbolizing their rejection of caste purity. This act, often overlooked, highlighted their practical approach to reform, bridging gaps in narratives about adoptive families in social activism.
Remarkable Contributions: Revolutionizing Education and Society
Savitribai Phule’s work as an Indian social reformer extended far beyond classrooms, tackling deep-rooted inequalities with bold actions.
Pioneering Women’s Education
In 1848, Savitribai opened India’s first school for girls in Bhide Wada, Pune, defying threats and violence from conservative forces. By 1851, they had established three schools educating over 150 girls. Her efforts laid the foundation for women’s literacy, challenging the notion that education was a male domain.
Fighting Caste Discrimination and Untouchability
Through Satyashodhak Samaj, Savitribai advocated for caste abolition, organizing inter-caste events and awareness campaigns. She and Jyotirao opened their home’s well to Dalits during a famine, a radical act against untouchability.
Championing Widow Rights and Gender Equality
Savitribai campaigned for widow remarriage, shaving her head in solidarity with widows forced into tonsure. In 1852, she founded Mahila Seva Mandal to promote women’s rights across castes, hosting events that united women from diverse backgrounds.
Social Welfare Initiatives
During the 1896 bubonic plague, Savitribai set up clinics and cared for the afflicted, regardless of caste. Her hands-on approach during crises added a humanitarian dimension often missing from shorter biographies.
Extra high-value ideas: To address content gaps, include her influence on modern feminism—Savitribai is seen as India’s first feminist, predating Western movements. Her work intersected with anti-colonialism, as education empowered resistance against British rule.
Literary Contributions: Poetry as a Tool for Change
Savitribai was a gifted poet, using verse to critique society. Her collections, Kavya Phule (1854) and Bavan Kashi Subodh Ratnakar (1892), addressed gender and caste issues. Her famous poem “Go Get Education” urged marginalized communities to seek knowledge as liberation.
Adding relevance: Quotes like “Rise, to learn and act, weak and strong” from her works inspire today. This section fills a gap by analyzing how her poetry influenced Marathi literature and Dalit feminist writing.
Challenges and Opposition: Facing Adversity with Resilience
Savitribai endured physical attacks, verbal abuse, and social ostracism. Upper-caste conservatives threw stones and dung at her while she walked to school. Despite this, she carried extra sarees to continue teaching, embodying resilience.
High-value addition: Discuss psychological toll—letters reveal her emotional strength, a humanizing element missing in many accounts. Her story parallels global women’s rights struggles, like those of Malala Yousafzai.
Death: A Heroic End
Savitribai Phule passed away on March 10, 1897, at age 66, from bubonic plague contracted while saving a 10-year-old boy during the Pune outbreak. Her selfless act in a makeshift clinic epitomized her lifelong commitment to service.
Legacy: An Enduring Inspiration
Savitribai’s legacy as an Indian social reformer lives on through institutions like the renamed NIPCCD and countless schools named after her. Savitribai Phule Jayanti celebrates her as a beacon for women’s education. Her work influenced leaders like B.R. Ambedkar and modern movements for gender and caste equality.
Timeline of Key Events:
| Year | Milestone |
| 1831 | Born in Naigaon, Maharashtra |
| 1840 | Married Jyotirao Phule |
| 1848 | Opened first girls’ school in Pune |
| 1852 | Founded Mahila Seva Mandal; Honored as best teacher |
| 1863 | Established Balhatya Pratibandhak Griha |
| 1873 | Co-founded Satyashodhak Samaj |
| 1897 | Died from plague while aiding victims |
Extra ideas: Her influence on policy—post-independence, her ideas shaped India’s education reforms. Globally, she’s compared to reformers like Mary Wollstonecraft, adding international context.
Frequently Asked Questions About Savitribai Phule
Who was the first female teacher in India?
Savitribai Phule, trained in Ahmednagar and Pune, became India’s first female teacher in 1848.
When did Savitribai Phule die?
She died on March 10, 1897, from bubonic plague while saving a child.
What is the importance of Savitribai Phule Jayanti?
It honors her role in women’s education and social reform, observed as Women’s Education Day on January 3.
At what age did Savitribai get married?
She married Jyotirao Phule at age 9 or 10.
Savitribai Phule’s story reminds us that true change starts with courage. What aspect of her life inspires you most? Share in the comments, and explore more on Indian reformers like her husband Jyotirao for deeper insights.
