Breaking Barriers: Indian women from history who broke stereotypes
In the men dominated world, the journey of women to gain their basic rights has been challenging. There are some who made their own path and became the symbol of change and inspiration for others to follow their footsteps. Despite several obstacles and societal stereotypes, they stood their ground and transformed the lives of many others. Let us explore such women and their amazing journeys.
Savitribai Phule (1831–1897) : First female teacher of India
Savitribai Phule was a social reformer in the 19th century, who was born in Maharashtra. She was a pioneer in providing education for girls and people from the socially oppressed section. She worked with her husband, Jyotirao Phule who was also a social reformer and educationist. Along with Jyotirao Phule, Savitribai Phule opened the first women’s school in Maharashtra in 1948. She also established a school for the ‘lower caste’ in Pune at Maharwada. She not only promoted education but also basic needs such as health, clothing, food, etc. She was also a poet and her literature is considered as the literature of the oppressed. She had also set up the ‘Balhatya Pratibandhak Griha’ to prevent female infanticide and campaigned against the killing of widows and pregnant rape victims.
Sarojini Naidu (1879–1949) : Nightingale of India
Sarojini Naidu was born in Hyderabad and educated in Madras, London, and Cambridge. She was part of the Indian national movement for India’s independence from the British raj and a follower of Mahatma Gandhi. Because of her poetry, she earned the sobriquet ‘the Nightingale of India’ or ‘Bharat ki Kokila’ by Mahatma Gandhi. Her poetry includes both children’s poems and others written on more serious themes including patriotism, romance, and tragedy. Her poem ‘In the Bazaars of Hyderabad’ which was published in 1912, is one of her most popular poems. In 1925, she was elected as president of the Indian national congress. During the freedom struggle, she was arrested multiple times by British authorities alongside other freedom fighters. She actively participated in the Khilafat movement (Civil disobedience) in 1930 and the quit India movement in 1942.
Ramabai Ranade (1863–1924) : Social reformer
Ramabai Ranade was a social reformer and one of the first women rights activists in the 19th century. She was the wife of M.G. Ranade, who was a distinguished Indian scholar and Indian social reformer. She challenged stereotypes by engaging in sports like table tennis and fought for women’s freedoms. She also trained women in public speaking, teaching, and weaving. She joined the Indian female suffrage movement, chaired the first India Women Conference in 1904, and raised her voice for the rights of Indian labourers in Fiji and Kenya. She is also the first woman to write an autobiography in the Marathi language titled ‘Amchya Ayushyatil Kahi Athavani’. She founded Seva Sadan Society in 1909 at Poona (Present-day Pune city). From Seva Sadan Ramabai was successful in training women as nurses and serving patients. Even after more than a century, the organization is standing strong. She had spent her life making women self-reliant and economically independent.
Fatima Sheikh : First Muslim female teacher in India
Fatima Sheikh was born on 9 January 1831 in Pune. She played a pivotal role in starting India’s first girl school. She gave refuge to the Phule couple when they were evicted for attempting to educate downtrodden people and under the same roof school was started. She assisted Savitribai Phule in managing the educational institution. They went door to door to enroll girls into school and their efforts bore fruit when several girls took admission. Doors of many schools for Dalits, Muslim women, and children from marginalized communities were shut and they gained education due to the efforts of Fatima sheikh and Savitribai Phule. Historically Fatima Sheikh has been neglected for her contribution to women’s empowerment and her inspiring legacy is non-existent in our history books.
Tarabai Shinde (1850–1910) : Women activist
Tarabai Shinde was a women activist who stood against patriarchy and caste in the 19th century. She was homeschooled by her father, who taught her Sanskrit, Marathi, and English. She was vocal for women rights, resisted against forced widowhood, denial of education to women, forced marriage and sexual violence. She dared to speak against oppressive societal structure. She is well known for her published work ‘Stri Purush Tulana’ (“A Comparison Between Women and Men”) which was originally published in Marathi in 1882. She was a member of Satyashodak Samaj (Truth finding society) and an associate of Jotirao phule and Savitribai Phule.
Conclusion
Historically women has been deprived of basic rights and dignity which she deserved. But there were some who stood and voiced for the section, who are the backbone of the society. Today there is much parity between men and women, the opportunities are much more equal compared to earlier times. But still there are glass ceilings which women are working to break. There are many modern day icons who came up against all odds and proved people wrong who thought ‘women cannot to this’, but that is a topic of another article. Till then keep reading and be a curious citizen.
