On April 1st, as we mark the death anniversary of Dr. Rukhmabai, we remember not just a woman who became one of India’s first female doctors but a fierce rebel who shattered the chains of oppression and reshaped history. Her life was not a mere tale of personal ambition—it was a revolution against the deep-seated patriarchy of 19th-century India. At a time when women were expected to be silent spectators of their own fate, she proved that courage, intellect, and resistance could rewrite destinies.
Born in 1864 in Bombay (now Mumbai) to Jayantibai and Janardhan Pandurang, Rukhmabai's early life was shaped by the rigid traditions of a patriarchal society. Her father passed away when she was just a child, leaving her and her mother vulnerable to the pressures of a system that placed little value on a woman’s independent existence. However, her mother, Jayantibai, was not one to be easily subdued. She defied convention by remarrying—a rare and scandalous act in 19th-century India—marrying a well-respected doctor and reformer, Sakharam Arjun.
Despite her privileged upbringing in an educated household, Rukhmabai could not escape the oppressive customs of the time. At just 11 years old, she was married off to Dadaji Bhikaji, a 19-year-old man with little education or ambition. Like thousands of child brides before her, she was expected to leave behind her dreams and surrender to a life dictated by her husband’s family. But Rukhmabai was not one to surrender.
A Legal Battle That Shook Colonial India and Redefined Women's Rights
For years, Rukhmabai refused to move into her husband’s house, choosing instead to continue her education under the guidance of her stepfather. She devoured books, absorbing knowledge at a time when formal education for girls was still considered an anomaly. Her defiance enraged Dadaji and his family, who saw it as an affront to tradition. In 1884, he took her to court, demanding that she either move in with him or face punishment.
The case of Dadaji Bhikaji vs. Rukhmabai became one of the most controversial legal battles in colonial India. Rukhmabai stood her ground, boldly stating that she would rather endure imprisonment than be forced into a marriage she did not consent to. Her words, spoken with unflinching resolve, sent shockwaves through the country:
"Marriage does not mean the bondage of a woman, nor does it mean that a husband owns his wife. I refuse to bow down to the injustice of society."
Her resistance sparked an intense public debate, with social reformers rallying behind her while orthodox conservatives called for her to be punished for dishonoring Hindu traditions. The British court initially ruled in Dadaji’s favor, ordering her to live with him or face imprisonment. But instead of submitting, she chose defiance once again. She wrote a powerful letter to Queen Victoria, pleading her case. Moved by her words, the Queen intervened, and the court overturned its earlier ruling.
Her legal battle directly contributed to the passing of the Age of Consent Act, 1891, which raised the minimum age of marriage for girls from 10 to 12—an early but crucial step in protecting young girls from forced unions. Though still young herself, Rukhmabai had already cemented her place in history as a fearless advocate for women’s rights.
Even after winning her legal battle, Rukhmabai knew that true freedom lay in securing an education that would allow her to stand independently. She set her sights on an even more radical goal—becoming a doctor, a profession dominated entirely by men at the time. Encouraged by reformers like Behramji Malabari, she traveled to England in 1889 to study medicine at the London School of Medicine for Women.
Her decision was groundbreaking. In a society where women were still fighting for basic rights, she was training to become a healer, a professional, and a force of change. The British press hailed her as an icon, and progressive circles in India celebrated her courage. However, the journey was far from easy. She faced racism, cultural shock, and financial difficulties, but her determination never wavered.
After years of intense study, she returned to India in 1895 as one of the first Indian women to earn a medical degree. Instead of settling in Bombay or another major city, she chose to serve in the Women’s Hospital in Surat and later in Rajkot, dedicating her life to providing healthcare for women who had been denied medical attention due to societal taboos.
Beyond her work as a doctor, Rukhmabai used her voice to further the cause of women’s rights. She wrote extensively under the pseudonym A Hindu Lady, critiquing oppressive customs like child marriage, the purdah system, and the denial of education to women. Her writings were radical, unapologetic, and fierce, sparking outrage among traditionalists who saw her as a threat to social order.
She was not afraid to challenge even the highest authorities, firmly believing that women were not meant to be mere ornaments in a patriarchal society. Her story was a powerful rejection of the idea that women existed only for male pleasure or approval. She was not a lollypop—she was a warrior.
Dr. Rukhmabai’s contributions stretched far beyond the walls of a courtroom or a hospital. She was a symbol of resistance, a living testament to the idea that courage and intellect could dismantle centuries-old oppression. Her legacy is still alive today in the thousands of young girls who dare to dream, in the women who refuse to be silenced, and in every voice that rises against injustice.
Her fight is far from over. Even today, millions of women continue to battle against forced marriages, lack of education, and gender discrimination. But if there’s one thing Dr. Rukhmabai’s life teaches us, it’s that no barrier is insurmountable.
As we remember her on this day, let us not merely celebrate her achievements—let us carry forward her spirit of defiance. Because every time a woman refuses to accept injustice, every time she asserts her right to education, every time she claims her independence—Dr. Rukhmabai lives on.
She was never just a lollypop, and neither are you.
