Savitribai Phule: A Legendary Lady in Indian ...

Savitribai Phule: A Legendary Lady in Indian Education

Author Name : Ashis Das, Prof. Mita Banerjee

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56025/IJARESM.2025.1301251211

ABSTRACT Savitribai Phule was the greatest architect in formulating the foundation in today‟s educational system in India. This modern, Marathi, and radical poet was regarded as the mother of Indian women's education because of her first realization about the necessity of women‟s education in Indian society. Her goal was to introduce the modern Indian philosophy in human society and emphasize self-respect, self-confidence, and self-reliance. She was also considered the first female teacher who read and wrote for all women equally. Her instrumental role between women's education and empowerment helps women gain the courage to raise their voice for their rights. Her target was to free the Indian society from Indian tradition, reforms—superstitions and religious practices, etc. For her contribution to the Indian social reform movement and Indian education, she was popularly known as the “Flame of Education (Jananajyoti)” and the “Flame of Revolution (Krantijyoti)”. She emphasized the fight for women‟s rights and rights to education. Therefore, people gave the title Savitribai Phule as „Mother of Indian Feminism‟. This study focuses on the ideology of Savitribai Phule that is highly valuable for everyone in the modern era. She should be remembered as a brave, hardworking role model in present times. This paper highlighted her activities as an educationist and philosopher in Indian society so that women can be influenced by her thought. She emphasized devoloping moral values in students to hermonize society by upgrading the knowledge level, self-consciousness about individual freedom, and creating equality in society. Her contribution to Indian education was revolutionary due to her realization about the significance of education in Indian women's society and understanding the essentiality of education for making a powerful nation. The present education system, based on equal democratic social culture, is the result of her monumental contribution to Indian society