| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name and Titles | Pandita Ramabai Sarasvati, titles “Pandita” and “Sarasvati” in 1878 |
| Birth and Death | Born April 23, 1858, Mangalore; Died April 5, 1922, Kedgaon, aged 63 |
| Occupation | Social reformer, Christian missionary |
| Years Active | 1885–1922 |
| Organizations Founded | Sharada Sadan (1889), Mukti Mission (late 1890s, later Pandita Ramabai Mukti Mission) |
| Notable Work | “The High-Caste Hindu Woman” (1887), Bible translation into Marathi |
| Spouse and Children | Married Bipin Behari Medhvi (1880–1882), daughter Manorama (born April 16, 1881) |
| Education and Achievements | Learned Sanskrit from father, addressed Calcutta University senate, conferred titles in 1878 |
| Social Activism | Advocated female education, women’s medical colleges, gave evidence to Hunter Commission 1882 |
| Conversion to Christianity | Converted early 1880s in England, baptized 1883 |
| International Engagements | Toured US 1886–1888, spoke at WCTU convention 1887, met Frances Willard |
| Famine Relief | Rescued thousands during 1896 famine, Mukti Mission had 1,500 residents by 1900 |
| Influence on Pentecostalism | Reported revival at Mukti Mission June 1905, before Azusa Street revival |
| Awards and Honors | Kaisar-i-Hind Medal 1919, commemorated by Church of England April 30, stamp issued 1989 |
| Personal Life Challenges | Orphaned at 16, widowed at 23, single mother, daughter died 1921, died from septic bronchitis |
| Legacy | Pandita Ramabai Mukti Mission active, supports widows, orphans, blind |
Pandita Ramabai Sarasvati, born Rama Dongre on April 23, 1858, in Mangalore, Madras Presidency, British India, was a pioneering Indian social reformer, Christian missionary, and advocate for women’s rights. She passed away on April 5, 1922, in Kedgaon, Bombay Presidency, at the age of 63. Her life was marked by extraordinary achievements and challenges, making her one of India’s most influential women reformers. Below is a comprehensive overview of her life, contributions, and legacy, presented in an HTML table format as requested, along with detailed explanations of each aspect.
Early Life and Education
Born into a Marathi Brahmin family, Ramabai’s father, Anant Shastri Dongre, was a Sanskrit scholar who defied societal norms by educating his wife and daughters. This progressive upbringing allowed Ramabai to learn Sanskrit, a rare skill for women at the time. Orphaned at 16 during the Great Famine of 1876–78, she and her brother Srinivas traveled across India, reciting Sanskrit scriptures. Her scholarly reputation grew, and in 1878, at age 20, she became the first woman to be awarded the titles “Pandita” and “Sarasvati” by the University of Calcutta for her expertise in Sanskrit and interpretations of ancient texts, a testament to her intellectual prowess.
Personal Life and Challenges
In 1880, Ramabai married Bipin Behari Medhvi, a member of the Brahmo Samaj and of a lower caste, challenging caste norms. Their marriage ended tragically when Medhvi died of cholera in 1882, leaving Ramabai a widow at 23 with a daughter, Manorama, born on April 16, 1881. As a high-caste Hindu widow, she faced significant societal stigma, which fueled her advocacy for women’s rights. She raised Manorama as a single mother, ensuring her education; Manorama earned a BA from Bombay University but died in 1921. Ramabai herself passed away nine months later from septic bronchitis, marking a profound personal loss.
Conversion to Christianity
During her stay in England in the early 1880s, Ramabai converted to Christianity, influenced by her disillusionment with orthodox Hinduism’s treatment of women. She was baptized in 1883 at the chapel of the Community of St. Mary the Virgin in Wantage. This conversion shaped her later work, blending Christian values with her reformist zeal. Initially intending to study medicine, she shifted focus to missionary and social work, leveraging her faith to support marginalized women.
Social Activism and Institutions
Ramabai’s activism centered on women’s education and empowerment. In 1882, she founded the Arya Mahila Samaj in Pune to promote women’s education and challenge practices like child marriage. She provided evidence to the Hunter Commission in 1882, advocating for female education and women’s medical colleges, influenced by Lord Dufferin’s Women’s Medical Movement. In 1889, she established Sharada Sadan, a residential school for child widows in Pune, offering academic and vocational training for economic independence. In the late 1890s, she founded the Mukti Mission in Kedgaon, near Pune, which became the Pandita Ramabai Mukti Mission. During the 1896 famine, she rescued thousands of outcast children, child widows, and orphans, housing them at Mukti Mission, which by 1900 supported 1,500 residents and over 100 cattle, largely self-sustaining with international aid.
Literary Contributions
Ramabai was a prolific writer, with her 1887 book, “The High-Caste Hindu Woman”, exposing the plight of child wives and widows in India. She also translated the Bible into Marathi from Hebrew and Greek, showcasing her linguistic and scholarly skills. Her writings amplified her advocacy, reaching both Indian and international audiences.
International Engagements
From 1886 to 1888, Ramabai toured the United States to raise funds for destitute Indian women, speaking at the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union convention in 1887 and meeting Frances Willard. Her international efforts garnered support for her institutions, enhancing her global influence as a reformer.
Influence on Pentecostalism
In June 1905, Mukti Mission experienced a reported revival, predating the Azusa Street revival, with girls experiencing psycho-physical states described as being “bathed in fire.” This event suggests Ramabai’s influence on early Pentecostalism, highlighting her spiritual impact.
Awards and Recognition
Ramabai received the Kaisar-i-Hind Medal in 1919 for public service in India. She is commemorated by the Church of England on April 30, and India issued a commemorative stamp on October 26, 1989, honoring her contributions. These accolades reflect her significant societal impact.
Legacy
The Pandita Ramabai Mukti Mission remains active, providing housing, education, and vocational training for widows, orphans, and the blind, continuing Ramabai’s vision of empowering marginalized women. Her advocacy for women’s rights and education challenged oppressive norms, leaving a lasting legacy in Indian social reform.