Rukhmabai

Indian physician and feminist pioneer

Rukhmabai in her early years

Rukhmabai Raut (22 November 1864 – 25 September 1955) was an Indian physician and feminist who is best known for being one of the first practicing women doctors in colonial India and for her involvement in a landmark legal case that contributed to the enactment of the Age of Consent Act, 1891.

Early Life

Rukhmabai was born in Bombay Presidency, British India, to Janardhan Pandurang and Jayantibai. Her father passed away when she was young, and her mother remarried to a prominent physician, Dr. Sakharam Arjun. Rukhmabai was married at the age of 11 to Dadaji Bhikaji, a marriage arranged by her family, as was customary at the time.

The Legal Case

The marriage between Rukhmabai and Dadaji Bhikaji was never consummated, and Rukhmabai continued to live with her mother and stepfather. In 1884, Dadaji filed a petition in the Bombay High Court seeking "restitution of conjugal rights," which would force Rukhmabai to live with him. Rukhmabai refused, leading to a protracted legal battle.

The case attracted significant public attention and debate, both in India and Britain, about the rights of women and the practice of child marriage. Rukhmabai's letters to the press, under the pseudonym "A Hindu Lady," argued against the injustice of child marriage and the lack of autonomy for women.

In 1888, the court ruled in favor of Dadaji, but Rukhmabai refused to comply, stating she would rather face imprisonment. The case was eventually settled out of court, with Rukhmabai agreeing to pay a settlement to Dadaji, allowing her to remain free from the marriage.

Education and Medical Career

Rukhmabai Raut in 1892

Following the settlement, Rukhmabai pursued her education in England, supported by a fund raised by her supporters. She attended the London School of Medicine for Women, where she earned her medical qualifications in 1894.

Upon returning to India, Rukhmabai became one of the first Indian women to practice medicine. She worked in various hospitals, including the Zenana (women's) hospital in Surat and later in Rajkot. Her work focused on women's health and she was a strong advocate for women's education and empowerment.

Legacy

Rukhmabai's case and her subsequent career as a physician were pivotal in the movement for women's rights in India. Her courage in challenging societal norms and her contributions to medicine have been recognized as significant milestones in the history of Indian feminism.

Related Pages

• Age of Consent Act, 1891
• Women's rights in India
• History of medicine in India