Fatima Sheikh
Fatima Sheikh (Jan 1831 – 9 Oct 1900) enrolled with Savitribai Phule as a teacher training institution run by Cynthia Farrar, an American missionary.
Jyotiba and Savitribai’s efforts to teach women and oppressed Castes resulted in upper castes threatening their family. The couple were thrown out of their home. They were welcomed by Fatima and her brother, Usman Sheikh at their home in Mominpura in Ganj Peth between 1841- 1847.
The first girls school was started in the same house. They called the school, 'Indigenous Library'. She continued to teach and work alongside Savitri in their school until 1856. She was first Muslim woman teacher of 19th century in British occupied India.
Upper castes reacted vehemently and even violently to the start of these schools. They pelted stones and cow dung at both women on way to school. But both remained undeterred. They would carry an extra saree to work.
She taught at all 5 schools that Phules established for children of all religions and caste. She would go door to door, encouraging families and parents from Dalit and Muslim communities to send their daughters to school. She spent time and effort counselling parents who did not wish to send their girls to schools.
The friendship between her and Savitribai was one of respect, compassion and synergy. Throughout their time together, Savitribai would often mention her in her letters to Jyotiba with affection and concern. Their friendship lives today in the form of the work they have done in creating will and actual structures for uplifting marginalized through education.
However, like many women who fought against injustice, this educator and social reformer’s memory is a blur in our consciousness. She remains lost in the pages of history, despite her close association with the Phules.
