Have we ever attempted to take a closer look at our history—in a modern world where people seem more interested in the lives of Bollywood actors or curating the perfect Instagram aesthetic? History, and the stories it holds, is vast. There is so much to learn, yet we rarely prioritise it.
Legends from all over the world have made crucial contributions to their countries and reshaped our understanding of the past. History doesn’t just belong to the past—it continues to shape the present.
Neglected Women of the Past: Tales Worth Telling
Sometimes, history teaches us even when we aren’t consciously learning. For instance, ancient Ayurvedic texts mention methods for treating cancer—a disease we still don’t fully understand. These forgotten pages may hold clues to technologies currently being developed across the world.
It is, therefore, vital that we revisit our past to uncover knowledge that could benefit the future.
There have always been legends across fields—whether social reform, science, or the arts. Often, it is a few extraordinary individuals who help society overcome great challenges.
This article brings to light a few lesser-known Indian women who set out to improve society in unique and powerful ways.
Savitribai Phule: The First Step Toward Women’s Education
Savitribai Phule was a pioneering women’s rights activist and India’s first female teacher. She was born on January 3, 1831, in Naigaon, Maharashtra. From a young age, she faced many obstacles: as a girl expected to stay in the kitchen, as a member of the marginalized Mali caste, and as a child bride married at the age of nine to Jyotirao Phule—a social reformer.
Her marriage, however, became a turning point. With Jyotirao’s support, she learned to read and write. Their shared vision led them to open a girls’ school in Pune in 1848, marking a historic shift. Savitribai devoted her life to educating girls and Dalits, especially those from disadvantaged communities.
Despite intense criticism during the 1800s—when society couldn’t imagine a woman shaping history—she persevered. She wrote poetry, challenged practices like child marriage and untouchability, and even carried an extra saree to school to change into after people hurled garbage or worse at her.
Today, Maharashtra celebrates Balika Din on her birthday in honour of her enduring legacy.
Dr. Anandibai Joshi: India’s First Female Doctor
Dr. Anandibai Joshi was one of India’s first female doctors and a trailblazer in women’s medical education.
Like Savitribai, Anandibai was married off at the age of nine to a man in his twenties. Tragedy struck when the couple lost their child due to the lack of medical care—an experience that motivated her to pursue medicine. With her husband’s encouragement, she travelled to the United States and enrolled in the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania at the age of 19.
After earning her degree, she received a letter of commendation from Queen Victoria herself. Anandibai returned to India and began treating patients in Kolhapur, but tragically died of tuberculosis at just 21.
Despite her short life, Anandibai left behind a powerful legacy as a woman of vision and strength.
Phoolan Devi: From Bandit Queen to Parliament
Phoolan Devi’s story is far more complex than the labels often attached to her. Born on August 10, 1963, in Gorha Ka Purva, Uttar Pradesh, into a lower-caste Mallah (boatmen) family, she faced discrimination and violence from a young age.
She was married at age eleven to a man who abused her physically and emotionally. After multiple escape attempts, she was abducted by a dacoit gang in the Chambal Valley, where she was repeatedly assaulted by upper-caste men. In a retaliatory act, those men were later killed in the infamous Behmai massacre.
Phoolan was imprisoned for 11 years, then released and later entered politics. She served as a Member of Parliament and gained a reputation as a fearless figure who challenged caste and gender oppression.
Tragically, she was assassinated in 2001 in Delhi by a man who claimed it was vengeance for Behmai. When asked what she would want to be in her next life, she answered:
“Definitely not a woman.”
She would rather be a dog or a bee—anything but a woman again.
Conclusion
These women—Savitribai Phule, Anandibai Joshi, and Phoolan Devi—made lasting impacts in different ways, yet remain underrecognized. They challenged the norms of their times and carved paths not just for themselves, but for generations of women to follow.
Their stories remind us that history isn’t just about kings, wars, or monuments. It’s also about courage, resistance, and unheard voices that deserve to be celebrated.
It’s time we honour their contributions—and ensure their legacies are not lost in silence.
