Kumari Malati Devi

A pioneering Indian educator who established the first girls' school in Bengal and fought for women's rights in 19th century India

Kumari Malati Devi (1844–1906) was a trailblazer in women's education during British India's reform era. As founder of the Calcutta Hindu Girls' School in 1861, she challenged centuries of gender norms in Bengali society. Her institution became a model for modern girls' education, emphasizing science and English alongside traditional studies.

Devi's advocacy extended beyond education to issues like widow remarriage and female property rights. She organized the Women's Association of Bengal in 1885, the first organization led by Indian women to petition the colonial government. Her Mahila Samaj Patrika magazine (1890-1905) became a vital platform for feminist discourse.

Despite her contributions, Devi remains underrecognized compared to male contemporaries like Vivekananda. Recent scholarship like this 2018 study highlights her role in shaping India's women's movement. The Malati Devi Memorial Scholarship now supports female students in West Bengal's underserved communities.