Fatima Sheikh Quick Introduction -
Name - Fatima Sheikh
Birth - 9 January 1831
Place - Maharashtra, Pune
Death - 191 birthday
Fatima Sheikh Brief Introduction -
Fatima Sheikh was an Indian teacher who was an associate of social reformers Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule.
Fatima Shaikh was the sister of Mian Usman Shaikh, in whose house Jyotiba and Savitribai Phule had resided when Phule's father expelled her family for their work for the upliftment of Dalits and women. She was one of the first Muslim female teachers in modern India and began educating Dalit children in school. Jyotiba and Savitribai Phule, along with Fatima Sheikh, worked to spread education among Dalit communities
Fatima Sheikh and Savitribai Phule started teaching women and people from oppressed castes, they were threatened by the local people. Their families were also targeted and were given the option of stopping all their activities or leaving their homes. They clearly chose the latter.
When the Phule couple was not supported by their caste nor their family and community members in their work. Abandoned by everyone around, the pair then go on to seek shelter and live out the oppression of society to fulfill their educational dreams. During their search, they came to the house of a Muslim man, Usman Sheikh, who was living in Ganj Peth (then known as Puna) in Pune. Usman Shaikh offered his house to Phule's pair and agreed to run a school on the premises. In 1848, a school was opened in the house of Osman Shaikh and his sister Fatima Shaikh.
It was no wonder that almost everyone from the upper caste of Poona was against Fatima and Savitribai Phule, and tried to stop them due to social humiliation. It was Fatima Sheikh who strongly supported in every possible way and supported Savitribai's support.
Fatima Sheikh started studying in the same school with Savitribai Phule. Savitribai and Fatima accompanied Sagunabai, who later became another leader in the education movement. Fatima Sheikh's brother Osman Sheikh was also inspired by the movement of Jyotiba and Savitribai Phule. According to the archives of that period, it was Osman Shaikh who encouraged his sister Fatima to spread education in the society.
When Fatima and Savitribai started attending the schools established by Jyotiba, the people of Pune used to harass themselves and abuse them. They used to throw stones and sometimes cow dung was thrown at them because it was unimaginable.
FAQs on Fatima Sheikh -
Ques 1) who was Fatima Sheikh ?
Ans 1) Fatima Sheikh was an Indian teacher who was an associate of social reformers Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule.
Ques 2) when was Fatima Sheikh born ?
Ans 2) 9 January 1831
