Abstract

Savitribai Phule is one of the most transformative figures in modern Indian history, who embodied both women’s empowerment and the civilizational ethos of the Indian Knowledge System (IKS). As India’s first modern woman teacher, she redefined education not merely as literacy but as vidya—a liberating force rooted in equality (samata), justice (nyaya), and social responsibility (dharma). Her collaboration with Jyotirao Phule was not only marital but civilizational, challenging caste hierarchies and patriarchal constraints through the establishment of schools and affirming knowledge as a collective right. Beyond the classroom, she promoted social reform by creating shelters for widows, homes for abandoned infants, and community spaces linking literacy with vocational and moral training. Her pedagogical approach anticipated Gandhi’s Nai Talim by emphasizing community-oriented, context-based education. During the 1897 plague epidemic, she sacrificed her life in service, exemplifying the principle of seva as the highest duty. Thus, her legacy extends beyond education, positioning her as a custodian of India’s civilizational consciousness and a pioneer of inclusive welfare. This study situates Savitribai Phule within the broader discourse of women’s empowerment and IKS, arguing that her contributions represent not only expanded access to knowledge but also a form of civilizational renewal that continues to inspire movements for justice, dignity, and equality.

Keywords: Savitribai Phule, Women’s Empowerment, Indian Knowledge System (IKS), Inclusive Education, Social Reform