Explanation:

Recently 187th birth anniversary of Savitri Bai Phule was celebrated. She was the social reformer of the 19th century who worked in the field of women education.

In the 19th century, public education was limited and there were only a few missionary schools which were “open to all”. In this period, Jyotiba, at the age of 21, and Savitri, 17, opened a school for women in 1848. It was the country’s first school for women started by Indians.

In 1849, Jyotiba and Savitri Bai left their family home as their acts were considered against the society by their family. They stayed with the family of a friend, Usman Sheikh, where Savitribai met Fatima Begum Sheikh. Fatima Sheikh along with Savitribai went to the Normal School and they both graduated together. She was the first Muslim woman teacher of India.

In 1852, Savitribai started the Mahila Seva Mandal to raise awareness about women’s rights. Savitribai called for a women’s gathering where members from all castes were welcome and everybody was expected to sit on the same mattress.