Rukhmabai

A trailblazing Indian physician and feminist who challenged child marriage laws through legal and medical advocacy.

Rukhmabai (1864–1955) was India's first practicing female physician of Indian descent and a pioneer in women's rights. Born in a conservative family, she defied her forced child marriage by legally contesting it in 1888, sparking national debates on gender equality. Her case, Rukhmabai v. Lakhmidas, led to the 1891 Child Marriage Restraint Act. After completing medical training in the UK, she returned to India to serve marginalized communities. She authored The Laws of Manu critique, advocating for women's education and legal autonomy. Her legacy is preserved in Wikipedia and Indian Express articles.