Image Courtesy: Google Doodle
Fatima Sheikh (9 January 1831 – 9 October 1900) was an Indian educator and social reformer, who was a colleague of the social reformers Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule. She is widely considered to be India’s first Muslim woman teacher.
Life and Career
Fatima Sheikh was born on 9 January 1831 in Poona, India. Her father, Sheikh Muhammad, was a renowned Islamic scholar. Fatima Sheikh received a traditional education in Islam and was proficient in Arabic and Persian. She was married at the age of 14, but her husband died a few years later, leaving her a young widow.
Fatima Sheikh became involved in social reform movements at a young age and was a prominent advocate for women’s education and empowerment. She believed that education was essential for the social and economic progress of women, and she worked to establish schools for girls throughout India.
Sheikh met Savitribai Phule while both were enrolled at a teacher training institution run by Cynthia Farrar, an American missionary. She taught at all five schools that the Phules went on to establish and she taught children of all religions and castes. Sheikh took part in the founding of two schools in Mumbai (Then Bombay) in 1851.
Fatima Sheikh also played a key role in the Indian independence movement, working alongside leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru to promote non-violent resistance against British rule.
Fatima Sheikh died on 9 October 1900, but her contributions to the cause of social reform and independence in India have not been forgotten. She is remembered as a pioneer in the fight for women’s rights and education, and her legacy continues to inspire generations of activists and reformers.
Award and Legacy
Fatima Sheikh’s legacy can be seen in the many schools and educational institutions that were established during her lifetime and that continues to operate today. These institutions provide education and opportunities for women and girls, and they have played a key role in advancing the cause of gender equality in India.
In addition to her work in education, Fatima Sheikh is remembered for her contributions to the Indian independence movement.
On 9 January 2022, Google Doodle celebrated Fatima Sheikh’s 191st birthday.