Life of Savitribai Phule: India's first female teacher

On the occasion of her 192nd birthday, a look back at the life of Savitribai Phule - India's first female teacher

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In 1848, the couple established a girls' school in Bhidewada, Pune. This was the country's first all-girls school

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The Phules established more such schools in Pune for girls, Shudras, and Ati-Shudras (backward castes and Dalits, respectively), causing dissatisfaction among Indian nationalists

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Savitribai herself faced a lot of hostility from the upper castes, including physical violence

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Among other things, Savitribai Phule advocated for inter-caste marriages, widow remarriage, and the abolition of child marriage, sati, and dowry systems

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The couple also established 'Balyata Pratibandak Gruha,' a childcare centre for pregnant widows and rape victims

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