Contents
Rukhmabai
The pioneering doctor whose resistance to an unwanted child marriage became a landmark legal controversy.
Marriage case · Surat hospital work
- Born
- 22 November 1864
- Birthplace
- India
- Died
- 25 September 1955
More people
Rukhmabai
Rukhmabai pursued medicine after refusing to live with the husband she had married as a child. Her case helped bring consent, education and women’s autonomy into public debate.
Early life
Bombay
Grew up in a household connected to medicine and social reform.
Child marriage
Was married at eleven but continued living with her family.
Career
- 1880s
Legal struggle
Resisted a suit seeking to compel marital cohabitation.
- 1889
Medical education
Travelled to Britain to study medicine.
- 1890s
Medical practice
Returned to India and worked in hospitals for women.
- 1910s
Rajkot hospital
Moved from Surat to work as a medical officer at a women’s hospital in Rajkot.
Contributions & milestones
Marriage case
Her resistance sparked debate in India and Britain.
Surat hospital work
Served women patients after qualifying.
Rajkot practice
Continued a long medical career in western India.
Beyond medicine
Public writing
Wrote about women’s position under the name A Hindu Lady.
Education
Used her own experience to argue for women’s education and freedom of choice.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh — Rukhmabai ↗Photo: Unknown author Unknown author. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
