we salute to our leader

Savitri Bai Phule


First Woman Teacher of India Krantijot Savitri Bai Phoolay
Dr. S. L. Virdi Advocate


In the middle of 19th century one of the most respected personality, father of the Indian Social Revolution Jyoti Rao Phoolay and his life Partner Krantijot Savitri Bai Phoolay revolted against Brahminical system and hegemony of the Brahmins in all spheres of life. An incident in 1848 made young Phule aware of the inequities of the caste system and the predominant position of the Brahmins in the social set-up. As a bridegroom was being taken in a procession, Jyotiba was accompanying him along with the relatives of this friend. Upon knowing that Jyotiba belonging to "Mali" caste which was considered to be inferior. The relatives of the bridegroom insulted him for taking part in that auspicious occasion. This incident triggered young Jotirao’s impressionable mind to defy the caste system and to serve the Shudras and women who were deprived of their rights as human beings under the caste system throughout his life.

Jotirao Phoolay and Krantijot Phoolay boldly attacked the stronghold of the Brahmins, who prevented others from having access to all the avenues of knowledge. They denounced them as cheats and hypocrites. They organised the untouchables and women and started the anti-Brahmin movement. They opened schools for the untouchables and women and gave the message of equality then high caste Hindus ostracized him and demolished his house. Phule launched a jihad against the priesthood and brahminical supremacy with a deep sense of commitment. They declared that social slavery is worst than political slavery. Phoolay wrote a book Gulamgiri for the salvation of Shudras and Ati Shudras in which he gave a clarion call to the Shudras and Ati Shudras for waging a decisive war against social system of the Hindus. They formed a Satya Sodhak Samaj for this purpose.

Events Year
Birth of SavitriBai.(Naigaon,Tha. Khandala Dist. Satara) Father's name- Khandoji Nevse, Mother's name- Laxmi. 3rd Jan.1831
Marriage with Jotirao Phule. 1840
Education started. 1841
Passed third and fourth year examination from Normal school. 1846-47
Started school with Sagunabai in Maharwada. 1847
Country's first school for girls was started at Bhide's wada in Pune and Savitribai was nominated as the first head mistress of the school. 1 Jan.1848
School for adults was started at UsmanSheikh's wada in Pune. Left home with Jotirao for educating Shudra and ati Shudra's . 1849
First public Til-Gul programme was arranged by Mahila Seva Mandal. 14 Jan.1852
Phule family was honoured by British government for their works in the field of education and Savtribai was declared as the best teacher. 16 Nov.1852
Infanticide prohibition home was started. 28 Jan.1853
Prize giving ceremony was arranged under the chairmanship of Major Candy. 12 Feb.1853
"Kavya Phule"-the first collection of poems was published. 1854
A night school for agriculturist and labourers was started. 1855
'Lecture's of Jyotiba' was published. 25 Dec.1856
Orphanage was started. 1863
Opened the well to untouchables. 1868
Adopted son of Kashibai, a Brahmin Widow's Child. 1874
Done important work in famine and started 52 free food hostels in Maharashatra. 1876 to 1877
Adopted son, Dr.Yashwant was married to the daughter of Sasane. 4 Feb.1889
Death of her husband Jotirao Phule . 28 Nov. 1890
Chairperson of Satya Shodhak Samaj Conference at Saswad. 1893
Again famine in Maharashtra. Forced government to start relief work. 1896
Plague epidemic in Pune.Had done social work during this hour. 1897
Died while serving the Plague paitents during plague epidemic. 10 March 1897
Centenary year in Maharashtra and National honour. 10 March 1997 to 98
Government of India honoured her by publishing a postage stamp. 10 March 1998
Events Year
Birth of Mahatma Jyotirao Phule. 11th April, 1827
Marathi education in Panthoji's school. 1834 to 1838
Married to Savitribai, the daughter of Khandoji Nevase at Naigaon. 1840
Primary education(English) in Missionary School. 1841 to 1847
Study of Thomas Paine's book 'Rights of Man'. 1847
Humiliation at marriage procession of upper caste friend. 1848
Started school for girls of shudra and atishudra. 1848
Left home with wife because of oath taken to educate the Shudras. 1849
Started girls school at Chiplunkar's wada 1851
Major Candy felicitated Jyotiba Phule for his contribution in the field of education. 16 Nov. 1852
Joined a Scottish school as a part time teacher. 1854
Started night school. 1855
Took retirement from the management board of school. 1858
Helped in the remarriage of widows. 1860
Started Infanticide Prohibition Home. 1863
Death of Jotirao's father Govindrao. 1868
Opened the well of his house to the untouchables. 1868
'Chatrapati Shivaji Raje Bhonsle yancha povada'. 1st June, 1869
Gulamgiri. 1 June 1873
Formation of 'Satya Shodhak Samaj'. 24 Sept. 1873
Procession of Dayanand Saraswati. 1875
Report of Pune's branch of Satya Shodhak Samaj. 20 March 1877
Member of Pune Muncipality. 1876 to 1882
Made presentation to Hunter Education Commission. 19 Oct. 1882
Written the most famous book 'Shetkarayacha Aasud (Cultivator's Whipcord)'. 18 July 1883
Published the book 'Ishara' 1 Oct.1885
Junnar Court's decision in favour of villager's right 29 March 1885
Felicitated by Duke of Connaught. 2 March 1888
Felicitated by public and was honoured with the title of' MAHATMA' 11 May 1888
Started writing the book 'Sarvajanik Satya Dharma Poostak' 1st April 1889
Death of Mahatma Jotirao Phule. 28 Nov 1890