Savitribai Phule
Pioneer of women’s education and India’s first woman teacher
- Lived
- 66 yrs
- 1831 – 1897
- Works listed
- 1
- Poetry
- Honours
- 0
- Awards & distinctions
- Profile views
- 2
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Savitribai Phule was a social reformer, poet and educator who, with her husband Jyotirao Phule, opened one of the first schools for girls in India in Pune in 1848, becoming the country’s first woman teacher. She fought caste discrimination and died in 1897 while caring for plague victims.
Biography
Learning to read
Savitribai was married at about nine to Jyotirao Phule, who taught her to read and write at home. She later trained as a teacher in Ahmednagar and Pune.
The first girls’ school
In 1848 she and Jyotirao opened a school for girls at Bhide Wada in Pune, one of the first run by Indians, and she became its teacher. Orthodox opponents threw dung and stones at her on her way to school, so she carried a second sari to change into. The couple went on to open many more schools, including for children of oppressed castes.
Against caste and injustice
With her colleague Fatima Sheikh she taught girls of all communities. The Phules opened a care home for pregnant widows to prevent infanticide, opposed child marriage and campaigned against the shaving of widows’ heads. In 1873 they founded the Satyashodhak Samaj to fight caste discrimination.
Poet and legacy
Savitribai published poetry, including Kavya Phule (1854). After Jyotirao’s death she led the Satyashodhak Samaj. During the plague epidemic of 1897 she opened a clinic and caught the disease while carrying a sick child; she died on 10 March 1897. Pune University was renamed Savitribai Phule Pune University in 2014, and her birthday, 3 January, is celebrated as a day for girls’ education in Maharashtra.
Timeline
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1831
Born in Naigaon, Satara district, Bombay Presidency (now Maharashtra)
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1848
Opens a girls’ school in Pune
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1854
Publishes Kavya Phule
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1863
Opens a home for pregnant widows
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1873
Satyashodhak Samaj founded
-
1897
Dies while caring for plague patients
-
2014
Pune University renamed in her honour
-
1897
Died, aged 66
Notable works
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1854
Kavya Phule Poetry
Did you know?
-
1
She carried a spare sari because opponents threw dung at her.
-
2
She died after caring for a child with plague.
-
3
Pune’s university is named after her.
Connections
Frequently asked
Who is Savitribai Phule?
Savitribai Phule was a social reformer, poet and educator who, with her husband Jyotirao Phule, opened one of the first schools for girls in India in Pune in 1848, becoming the country’s first woman teacher. She fought caste discrimination and died in 1897 while caring for plague victims.
When did Savitribai Phule die?
Savitribai Phule died on 10 March 1897 at the age of 66.
Where is Savitribai Phule from?
Savitribai Phule was born in Naigaon, Satara district, Bombay Presidency (now Maharashtra).
What is Savitribai Phule known for?
Savitribai Phule is best known for Opening the first girls’ school in Pune with Jyotirao Phule; fighting caste and gender discrimination.
Who is Savitribai Phule married to?
Spouse: Jyotirao Phule.
References
- Savitribai Phule — Wikipedia. Wikipedia. Retrieved 27 October 2026.
- Savitribai Phule — Hindi Wikipedia. Wikipedia (Hindi). Retrieved 27 October 2026.
- Savitribai Phule (Q2645692) — structured data. Wikidata. Retrieved 27 October 2026.
Includes material from the Wikipedia article “Savitribai Phule”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. That text is available under the same licence. Learn more
External links
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About this profile
- Researched by the TrackFame editorial team; reviewed by Sanjay Sokal under our editorial policy
- First published 27 October 2026
- Last updated
Cite this page
“Savitribai Phule.” TrackFame, last updated 28 October 2026. https://trackfame.com/person/savitribai-phule
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