Pandita Ramabai, the High-Caste Hindu woman who gave voice to Indian women’s appeal The most controversial Indian woman of her times, Sanskrit scholar, social reformer, Christian convert who tried to improve women’s life with her unique life path

Abstract

The work focuses on the incredible figure of Pandita Sarasvati Ramabai, an Indian woman who between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century devoted her life to give voice to the Indian women’s oppression, denouncing in particular the appalling conditions of Hindu child widows. She can be considered a pioneer in the Indian feminist discourse for her interest and dedication to the cause of child brides and widows, especially with the publication of her famous work The High-Caste Hindu Woman in 1887, which described the conditions of young girls and women in Indian society and the creation of educational institutions for girls in India, which are nowadays active. Her conversion to the Christian faith during her sojourn in England, caused her ostracization from the Indian social reforming field and a fierce criticism by her fellow reformers.

By tracing her eventful life, this work tries to give a brief but comprehensive portrait of this woman and her work as Sanskrit scholar, social reformer, Christian convert and missionary, who left an important mark and legacy in the social and educational field for Indian women.