Pandita Ramabai – An Early Nationalist in Karnataka

Abstract

Pandita Ramabai was a social reformer and activist in India. She was born as Brahmin Hindu and being well learned in the languages and Hindu texts was conferred the title "Pandita' by the distinguished educators of Calcutta University in 1878. However she became disillusioned later, by the deception practiced by priests, superstition and plight of women depicted in the Hindu texts. It was at this point in time that Ramabai resolved to spend her life attempting to better the status of women in India. She later converted to Christianity, and served widows and helpless women of India.