Savitribai Phule: 'Stones and dung you throw can't stop me'

Life of Savitribai Phule was spent fighting against injustice and for the establishment of justice. She worked hard for reforms and upliftment of women in the society.

Bengal and Maharashtra emerged as two important centers of social reform in modern Indian society. Bengal was originally seeking reform in Hinduism, social system and traditions and was led by the upper castes and upper classes. On the contrary, Hinduism, social system and traditions were challenged in Maharashtra. They fought to break the caste system and end male domination over women. Shudras and women were leading the renaissance of Maharashtra. There were two pillars of this renaissance - Savitribai Phule and her husband Jotirao Phule. Shudras and women are traditionally considered equal in the social system of Hinduism. The scripture clearly states that woman and Shudra are equal. Hindu Dharmashastra also says that women and Shudras should not study. These were established beliefs and people of all castes followed them.

She was born on 3rd January 1831 in a village called Naigaon. Which is near Pune. She was the eldest daughter of Khandoji Nevse Patil and was of Shudra caste. At a time when even a boy from Shudra caste was forbidden to get education, there was no question of getting education for a girl born in Shudra caste. She used to do housework and farm with her father. She went to the market with others in the village and saw the first book. He saw some foreign women and men singing under a tree praying for Jesus Christ. Curious, she stopped, and one of the men and women handed her a booklet. Savitrabai was reluctant to take the booklet. The giver said, take this booklet even if you don't know how to read it. Look at the pictures printed in it, Savitribai brought the booklet with her.

Jyotiba Phule

Jotirao Phule was mentor and Savitribai Phule's spouse. After completing her primary education under the tutelage of Jotirao Phule and Sagunabai, Savitribai Phule completed her formal education in Ahmednagar. After that he took training from Pune Teachers Training Institute. In this training school, Fatima Sheikh also took teaching training with him. From here they became close friends. Fatima Shaikh was the sister of Usman Shaikh, a close friend and colleague of Jotirao Phule. Later, the two also did teaching work together.

The Phule couple opened the first school for girls in Pune on January 1, 1848. When Jotirao Phule opened the school at Bhabwada, Pune on 15 May 1848, Savitribai Phule became the headmistress. The doors of these schools were open to all castes. The number of schools opened by Jotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule for girls' education were increasing and in four years their number reached 18.

Direct challenge to Brahmanism

The Phule couple's move was a direct challenge to Brahmanism and an end to their monopoly. Jotirao Phule's father Govindrao was pressured by the priests. Govindrao asked Mahatma Phule, under the pressure of the priest, to either leave the school with his wife or leave the house. Jotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule, saddened and heavy-hearted, decided to leave home for the liberation of Shudra-Atishudra and women.

After being expelled from the family, the Brahman forces did not give up the pursuit of Savitribai Phule. When Savitribai Phule went to school, the villagers used to throw stones and dung at her. Savitribai paused and said politely-

'Brother, I am doing a good job educating your sisters. The stones and dung you throw can't stop me, but they inspire me. It is as if you are showering flowers. I will definitely continue my work. ''

Savitribai Phule's sari used to get dirty due to cow dung.

Savitri Bai Phule's Reforms

The Phule couple started paying attention to other issues of the society besides education. The worst situation was for widows. They were mostly upper caste. Most of them belong to Brahmin families. Often during pregnancy these widows either commit suicide or throw away the child she gave birth to. In 1863, the Phule couple started a child support home for this woman child. Any widow could come here and give birth to her child.

Posters of the ban were put up all over the place. These posters read, 'Widows! You can give birth to your child without any hindrance by staying anonymous here. And it is up to you to decide whether to take your child with you or not. ” Similarly, the son of Brahmin widow Kashibai was brought up by the Phule couple as their own child whose name was Yashwant. After his death, the leadership of Satyashodhak Samaj was handed over to Savitribai Phule.

Savitribai as Poetess

Savitribai Phule was an important poetess in modern Marathi. His first collection of poems, Kavya Phule, was published in 1854, when he was 23 years old. In 1892, his second collection of poetry, Bawan Kashi Subodh Ratnakar, was published. This is a collection of 52 poems. She has written it in memory of Jotirao Phule and dedicated it to him. Savitribai Phule's speech was also published in 1892. Apart from this, the letters written by him are also very important. From these letters, the situation of that time, the mentality of the people, Savitribai's attitude towards flowers and their thoughts come to the fore.

Death

In 1896, there was another famine in and around Pune. Savitribai Phule worked day and night to help the famine victims. She called on the government to provide relief supplies to those affected by the drought. The life of Shudra-Atishudra and Savitribai, the teacher and first mother of women, was spent fighting against injustice and for the establishment of justice. She also died while doing social work.

In 1897, the plague spread epidemic in Pune. In addition to helping people with health problems, She also fell victim to this disease. She died on March 10, 1897. Even after her death, her deeds and thoughts continue to guide the country like a light.

Written By Vikas Parasram Meshram, Give him Feedback on his mail Id [email protected]

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