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Savitribai Phule 194th Birth Anniversary: Known as the country’s first female teacher, Savitribai broke societal barriers at a time when educating women was considered unthinkable.
Savitribai Phule was not only a reformer but also an accomplished poet and author. (Image: Shutterstock)
Savitribai Phule Birth Anniversary 2025: India celebrates the birth anniversary of Savitribai Phule, a name that shines bright in the history of India’s social reforms, on January 3. Known as the country’s first female teacher, Savitribai broke societal barriers at a time when educating women was considered unthinkable.
Born in Naigaon, Maharashtra, in 1831, she devoted her life to championing women’s education and eradicating discrimination based on caste and gender. As India celebrates her 194th birth anniversary, let’s take a look at her remarkable achievements, impactful work and the legacy she left behind.
Early Life
Savitribai was the eldest daughter of Lakshmi and Khandoji Nevase Patil. At the age of 9, she married Jyotirao Phule, a fellow social reformer who played an instrumental role in supporting her education and social initiatives. Together, they pioneered efforts to transform the educational landscape of the nation.
A Life Dedicated To Knowledge And Reform
In 1848, the couple established India’s first school for girls, Bhide Wada, in Pune. This groundbreaking step marked the beginning of a movement that would change the lives of countless women.
Despite facing intense opposition from society, Savitribai pursued her teaching training at Ahmednagar’s American Missionaries Institute and Pune’s Normal School.
By 1851, Savitribai and Jyotirao had set up three schools with over 150 students. Their work soon expanded, leading to the creation of 17 schools, including institutions for Dalits and women, across India.
The couple’s innovative approach of offering stipends encouraged many to step into classrooms for the first time.
A Vision Beyond Education
Savitribai’s mission extended far beyond the classroom. In 1852, she founded the Mahila Seva Mandal, a platform aimed at empowering women and challenging societal norms.
The organisation welcomed members from all castes, fostering a sense of unity and breaking the chains of caste-based discrimination.
The Phules also addressed deeply rooted social evils. They fought against child marriage, supported widow remarriage and established the Literacy Mission in 1854-55 to further promote education across the nation.
Their efforts gave rise to the Satyashodhak Samaj, a revolutionary initiative that advocated for Satyashodhak marriages, where dowries were abolished, paving the way for equality in relationships.
Poet And Author
Savitribai Phule was not only a reformer but also an accomplished poet and author. Her works, including Kavya Phule (1854) and Bavan Kashi Subodh Ratnakar (1892), reflect her progressive thoughts and deep commitment to education.
Her poem Go, Get Education stands as a powerful call to action, urging the oppressed to break free from societal chains through knowledge.
10 Inspiring Quotes By Savitribai Phule
On this special occasion, here are 10 timeless quotes by Savitribai Phule that continue to inspire generations:
- “Education is the great equaliser and it will take us out of our caves.”
- “Laziness is a symptom of poverty. It is the enemy of knowledge, wealth, and honour and the lazy person gets none of it.”
- “A woman without education is like a banyan tree without roots or leaves; she cannot provide for her children and stay alive herself.”
- “The lack of learning is nothing but gross bestiality. It is through the acquisition of knowledge that (he) loses his lower status and achieves the higher one.”
- “We shall overcome and success will be ours in the future. The future belongs to us.”
- “I believe that education is the key to every woman’s liberation.”
- “Awake, arise and educate, smash traditions – liberate.”
- “All gets lost without knowledge, we become animals without wisdom.”
- “Sit idle no more, go, get education. End the misery of the oppressed and forsaken.”
- “If you have no knowledge, have no education, And you yearn not for the same, You possess intellect but work not on the same, How then can you be called a human being?”