Prem_Bai

A visionary Indian social reformer who championed women's education and empowerment in rural Rajasthan

Prem Bai (1898–1980) was a transformative figure in India's social reform movement, best known for establishing the first girls' school in rural Rajasthan. Born into a feudal princely family, she rejected traditional gender roles to pursue education herself, eventually becoming a leading advocate for women's rights in the early 20th century. Her 1923 founding of the Prem Mahila Vidyalaya in Jodhpur broke barriers for girls in education, initially facing fierce opposition from conservative leaders.

Bai's innovative approach included training local women as teachers and integrating vocational training with academics. By the 1930s, her school had become a model for girls' education across Rajasthan, with over 500 students enrolled. She collaborated with Mahatma Gandhi's independence movement, advocating for women's participation in India's freedom struggle. Her 1940s establishment of the Rashtriya Mahila Mandal expanded her work to include literacy programs and health initiatives for marginalized women.

Prem Bai's legacy is preserved through her autobiography <《My Journey for Women's Empowerment》, which details her struggles and achievements. Modern educational institutions like the Prem Bai Women's University continue her mission, educating over 10,000 female students annually. Her emphasis on grassroots empowerment remains influential in India's gender equality discourse.