INDIANS WORTH REMEMBERING
Savitribai Phule
(1831-1897)
Meet India’s first feminist, Savitribai Phule. While Phule courageously fought against many injustices, including child marriage, she’s best known for her trailblazing work in the field of education. In 1847, Phule became the first woman teacher in India. Soon after, she made education more accessible to girls by opening up a school for them. She didn’t stop at just one school. Over time, Phule and her husband established a total of 18 schools in India. She welcomed all girls to her schools, including those from lower castes. Phule truly paved the way for generations of Indian women to get an education.
Rani Lakshmi Bai
(1827 or 1828-1858)
Rani Lakshmi Bai is popularly known as Jhansi ki Rani (Queen of Jhansi). She grew up learning archery, shooting, martial arts, and other traditionally male activities. In 1857, when the British tried to take over the Jhansi province, Lakshmi Bai joined a revolt against them. She took charge and assembled an army of over 14,000 warriors, some of whom were women, to fight the British military. Rani Lakshmi Bai sadly died in battle, but she is remembered for her bravery and leadership.
Rabindranath Tagore
(1861-1941)
“Jana Gana Mana Adhinayaka jaya hai …” The melodic words of India’s national anthem were written and composed by Rabindranath Tagore. Tagore was a Bengali poet, playwright, painter, and composer. Many considered Tagore the most outstanding creative artist of early 20th-century India. He helped introduce Indian culture to the West and vice versa. Tagore even started an experimental school where he tried to blend the best of Indian and Western traditions. His ideas about developing a child’s imagination are still used in teaching today. In 1913, Tagore’s English translations of his Bengali poems earned him the Nobel Prize in Literature—making him the first non-European to receive the award.
Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (1891-1956)
Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar fought against all odds to achieve success. Growing up, Ambedkar was made fun of and bullied because he was from a poor family—they were considered Dalits, or Untouchables. However, he was a bright student and earned scholarships to attend Columbia University and the London School of Economics. In 1947, Ambedkar became the first law minister of an independent India. He used his power and influence to fight against the discrimination of people from lower castes. Ambedkar also took a leading role in writing the Indian Constitution.