Pandita Ramabai

Pandita Ramabai

Pandita Ramabai was born in Mangalore District in 1858. Her father was a Chitpavan Brahman scholar, who taught her Sanskrit and refused to arrange her marriage. The family traveled from one pilgrimage site to another; her father supporting them by giving recitations of the Purāṇas. The famine of 1874 reduced the family to starvation. In the forest near Tirupathi, her father, mother, and elder sister died. She and her brother wandered all over India, mostly on foot, for the next six years, in an effort to attain to the forgiveness of sins. What they found was “insincerity and fraud”. But Ramabai and her brother were not deceived. “We knew we were sinners,” she confessed, “though we did not acknowledge it.” Still it was in those years that Ramabai became profoundly aware of the sufferings of Women. In Calcutta, her intellect and charisma while expounding the scriptures captivated the Sanskrit scholars of Bengal, who bestowed on her the title Pandita. However, Ramabai eventually became disillusioned with Hinduism-2/”>Hinduism.

In 1882, Ramabai moved to Pune where she founded Arya Mahila Samaj (Arya Women’s Society). The purpose of the society was to promote the cause of women’s Education and deliverance from the oppression of child marriage. When in 1882 a commission was appointed by Government of India to look into education, Ramabai gave evidence before it. In an address to Lord Ripon’s Education Commission, she declared with fervor, “In ninety-nine cases out of a hundred the educated men of this country are opposed to female education and the proper position of women. If they observe the slightest fault, they magnify the grain of mustard-seed into a mountain, and try to ruin the character of a woman.” She suggested that teachers be trained and women school inspectors be appointed. Further, she said that as the situation in India was that women’s conditions were such that women could only medically treat them, Indian women should be admitted to medical colleges. Ramabai’s evidence created a great sensation and reached Queen Victoria. It bore fruit later in starting of the Women’s Medical Movement by Lord Dufferin.

Ramabai went to Britain in 1883 to start medical training. During her stay she converted to Christianity. From Britain she traveled to the United States in 1886 to attend the graduation of the first female Indian doctor, Anandibai Joshi, staying for two years. During this time she also translated textbooks and gave lectures throughout the United States and Canada. She had also published one of her most important book, The High-Caste Hindu Woman. This was also the first book that she wrote in English. Ramabai dedicated this book to Dr. Joshi, The High-Caste Hindu Woman-to be specific a Brahmin woman which showed the darkest aspects of the life of Hindu women, including child brides and child widows, sought to expose the oppression of women in Hindu-dominated British India. In 1896, during a severe famine Ramabai toured the villages of Maharashtra with a caravan of bullock carts and rescued thousands of outcast children, child widows, orphans, and other destitute women and brought them to the shelter of Mukti and Sharada Sadan. A learned woman knowing seven languages, she also translated the Bible into her mother tongue—Marathi—from the original Hebrew and Greek.

She was given a scholarship to study medicine in England; when she arrived there, she found that her hearing was defective and so she could not participate in lectures. While in England, she wrote the feminist classic “The High Caste Hindu Woman”, a scathing attack on traditional practices including widowhood, polygamy and child marriage. She established the Mukti Mission in 1889 as a refuge for young widows who were abused by their families.

In Marathi, her native tongue, the word mukti means liberation. The Pandita Ramabai Mukti Mission is still active today, providing housing, education, vocational training, and medical Services, for many needy groups including widows, orphans, and the blind. Mukti Mission is located near the city of Pune (Poona) and enjoys support from several foreign countries including the United States and Australia. In 1919, the king of England conferred on her the Kaiser-i-Hind award, one of the highest Awards an Indian could receive during the period of the British Raj. Her contributions as a builder of modern India were recognized by the Government of India by issuing a commemorative postal stamp on 26th October 1989 in honour of her.

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Pandita Ramabai was a Hindu social reformer, religious leader, and writer. She was born in 1858 in a Brahmin family in Maharashtra, India. She was married at the age of eight to a much older man, but she was widowed at the age of 13. After her husband’s death, Ramabai became a widow and was ostracized by her community. She then decided to dedicate her life to social reform and Education For Women.

Ramabai traveled to England in 1883, where she studied at the University of Cambridge. She also met with social reformers such as Florence Nightingale and Josephine Butler. After returning to India, Ramabai founded the Sharada Sadan, a school for widows and girls. She also wrote several books on social reform, including “The High-Caste Hindu Woman” and “The People of India.”

Ramabai died in 1922 at the age of 64. She is remembered as a pioneer in the fight for women’s rights in India.

Early life

Pandita Ramabai was born on November 23, 1858, in a Brahmin family in Maharashtra, India. Her father, Anant Shastri Dongre, was a scholar and teacher. Her mother, Lakshmibai, was a devout Hindu. Ramabai was the youngest of four children.

Ramabai was a bright and inquisitive child. She learned to read and write at a young age. She also studied Sanskrit, Marathi, and English. Ramabai’s father encouraged her to learn as much as she could. He told her that education was the key to success in life.

Marriage and widowhood

When Ramabai was eight years old, she was married to a much older man. Her husband was a widower with two children. Ramabai’s marriage was not a happy one. Her husband was abusive and neglectful. Ramabai was also unhappy with the restrictions placed on her as a widow.

In 1878, Ramabai’s husband died. After his death, Ramabai was ostracized by her community. She was considered an unlucky woman. She was also expected to live a life of seclusion and POVERTY.

Ramabai refused to accept the restrictions placed on her as a widow. She decided to dedicate her life to social reform and education for women.

Education and social reform

In 1883, Ramabai traveled to England. She studied at the University of Cambridge. She also met with social reformers such as Florence Nightingale and Josephine Butler. After returning to India, Ramabai founded the Sharada Sadan, a school for widows and girls. She also wrote several books on social reform, including “The High-Caste Hindu Woman” and “The People of India.”

Ramabai’s work was controversial. She was criticized by some for her views on religion and social reform. However, she was also praised by others for her courage and determination.

Death and legacy

Ramabai died on March 22, 1922, at the age of 64. She is remembered as a pioneer in the fight for women’s rights in India. She is also remembered for her work with widows and girls.

Ramabai’s legacy is one of courage, determination, and compassion. She was a true pioneer in the fight for women’s rights in India. Her work continues to inspire people around the world.

Who was Pandita Ramabai?

Pandita Ramabai was a social reformer, educationist, and writer who worked to improve the lives of women and children in India. She was born in 1858 into a Brahmin family in Maharashtra. She was a child prodigy and learned Sanskrit, Marathi, and English at a young age. She married at the age of 11, but her husband died a few years later. She then moved to Poona, where she started a school for girls. She also worked to improve the lives of widows and orphans. She died in 1922.

What are some of Pandita Ramabai’s achievements?

Pandita Ramabai was a pioneer in the field of women’s education in India. She founded the Sharada Sadan, a school for girls in Poona, in 1882. She also wrote several books on women’s rights and education. She was a strong advocate for the rights of widows and orphans. She also worked to improve the lives of women in India through her work with the Arya Mahila Samaj, an organization that she founded in 1887.

What are some of the challenges that Pandita Ramabai faced?

Pandita Ramabai faced many challenges in her life. She was born into a Brahmin family, which meant that she was expected to live a life of seclusion. However, she was a child prodigy and learned Sanskrit, Marathi, and English at a young age. She married at the age of 11, but her husband died a few years later. She then moved to Poona, where she started a school for girls. She also worked to improve the lives of widows and orphans. She faced opposition from many people, including her own family, for her work. However, she persevered and made a significant impact on the lives of women and children in India.

Why is Pandita Ramabai an important figure in Indian history?

Pandita Ramabai is an important figure in Indian history because she was a pioneer in the field of women’s education and rights. She was also a strong advocate for the rights of widows and orphans. She made a significant impact on the lives of women and children in India through her work with the Sharada Sadan, the Arya Mahila Samaj, and her writings.

  1. Who was the first Indian woman to be awarded a doctorate degree?
    (A) Pandita Ramabai
    (B) Annie Besant
    (C) Sarojini Naidu
    (D) Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay

  2. Which of the following is not one of Pandita Ramabai’s achievements?
    (A) She founded the Sharada Sadan, a home for widows and orphans.
    (B) She translated the Bible into Marathi.
    (C) She wrote a book called “The High Caste Hindu Woman”.
    (D) She was a social reformer and a women’s rights activist.

  3. Which of the following is not one of the reasons why Pandita Ramabai is considered a national hero?
    (A) She fought for the rights of women and widows.
    (B) She worked to improve the lives of the poor and the oppressed.
    (C) She was a scholar and a writer.
    (D) She was a religious leader.

  4. Which of the following is not one of the challenges that Pandita Ramabai faced in her life?
    (A) She was born into a poor family.
    (B) She was widowed at a young age.
    (C) She was discriminated against because she was a woman.
    (D) She was not allowed to receive an education.

  5. Which of the following is not one of the contributions that Pandita Ramabai made to Indian Society?
    (A) She helped to raise awareness of the plight of widows and orphans.
    (B) She worked to improve the status of women in India.
    (C) She translated the Bible into Marathi.
    (D) She founded the Sharada Sadan, a home for widows and orphans.

  6. Which of the following is not one of the reasons why Pandita Ramabai is still remembered today?
    (A) She was a pioneer in the fight for women’s rights.
    (B) She was a tireless advocate for the poor and the oppressed.
    (C) She was a brilliant scholar and writer.
    (D) She was a devout Hindu who dedicated her life to serving others.

  7. Which of the following is not one of the ways in which Pandita Ramabai’s legacy lives on today?
    (A) Her work continues to inspire people to fight for social Justice.
    (B) Her writings are still studied by scholars and activists.
    (C) Her name is associated with a number of schools and institutions in India.
    (D) She is remembered as a national hero in India.

  8. Which of the following is not one of the things that Pandita Ramabai would want us to remember her for?
    (A) Her courage and determination.
    (B) Her compassion and Empathy.
    (C) Her intelligence and wisdom.
    (D) Her religious beliefs.

  9. Which of the following is not one of the ways in which we can honor Pandita Ramabai’s memory?
    (A) By continuing to fight for social justice.
    (B) By studying her writings and Learning from her example.
    (C) By supporting organizations that are working to improve the lives of women and girls.
    (D) By praying for her soul.

  10. Which of the following is not one of the things that we can learn from Pandita Ramabai?
    (A) That we should never give up on our dreams.
    (B) That we should always fight for what we believe in.
    (C) That we should never judge others based on their appearance or background.
    (D) That we should always be kind and compassionate to others.

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