Lakshmi Narsimhal Mankar

A pioneering Indian entrepreneur and social reformer who defied gender norms to establish India's first women's college in 1866

Lakshmi Narsimhal Mankar (1835-1895) was an extraordinary figure in 19th century India who made significant contributions to education and social reform. Born into a Brahmin family in Madras (now Chennai), she defied societal expectations by pursuing higher education and later becoming a trailblazer in women's education. Despite widespread opposition, she established the Queen Mary's College in 1866 - India's first institution of higher learning exclusively for women. This groundbreaking achievement occurred at a time when less than 1% of Indian women were literate.

Mankar's innovative teaching methods included introducing English language instruction and science subjects to female students. Her college became a model for other women's educational institutions across India. Beyond academia, she was a vocal advocate for widow remarriage rights and girls' access to vocational training. Mankar's work laid the foundation for India's modern education system, with her college still operating today as a premier women's university.

Her legacy is particularly remarkable given the deeply patriarchal societal structures of 19th century India. Mankar faced relentless criticism from conservative groups but persisted through her strong network of international connections. She collaborated with British feminist educators like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and used her fluency in multiple languages (Tamil, English, Sanskrit) to publish progressive essays in regional newspapers. Mankar's pioneering work paved the way for later women's rights activists like Sarojini Naidu.