Women in medical education in the nineteenth century
Dr. Mrinal Kanti Chattopadhayay
In the nineteenth century, the status of women in Indian society was not good. The British Government introduced western Education in the country for its own benefit. But the Indian women were deprived of this education. The Adams report of 1836 shows that the education of women was neglected at that time. Hindu society did not give importance to women’s education at that time. There was a superstition in the society that if women prefer to study study then widowhood will come down in their life. That is why the Hindu society was not very interested in the education of women. The purpose of girls was to serve the family instead of studying. Apart from superstitions, the older women of the family also did not like the education of girls. Many women did not disclose it even if they studied in secret. Even educated men were indifferent to the education of their daughters being afraid of their mothers. But this time the society changed. Educated people of the society become aware about education. They felt that girls should be educated. If women’s are not educated, society will not be developed and reformed. At this time the demand for the socially educated women was increasing. Because young people are educated in western education wanted to marry educated women for future generation. For this need of the society, women were able to get out of this hand of superstition and get opportunity to be educated in the western style.. During this time many Girl’s school were established. Indian social reformers, Christian Missionaries and the British Government played a role in this regard. Raja Rammohon Roy,Vidyasagar, Vivekananda, Dyananda swarsati, Ranade, altaf Hossion all played impartment roles in woman’s education. The Brahma Samaj, Parthona samaj and the Theosophical society played an important role in women’s education. The women of the upper caste and Brahmo society were educated. The girls of the ordinary Hindu and Muslim families did not receive this education. The report of the Hunter Commission also shows that the development of women’s education was not satisfactory then. There were some successes in primary education. But the participation of girls in Higher education was not so much. A report from 1891 states that the literacy rate of men and women at that time was 100: 5, and in 1931, the ratio was 100 : 18.
Although the participation of women in general education was not significant, efforts were made to attract girls to medical education. Just as the British introduced western Education in this country for their own benefit, they also introduced modern Medicine in this country for their own benefit. The weather, climate and heat of the country had damaged the health of the British. Many British soldiers died for it. The British had no confidence in traditional Indian medicine. So the British were forced to introduce modern medicine in this country. Despite the introduction of Western Medicine, some problems still embarrassed them. Especially at that time the sexually transmitted diseases of the British soldiers were increasing. Because the unmarried and family less British soldiers used to meet their physical needs by Indian girls. These girls were suffering from various diseases. They needed treatment. The British Government established a Medical College in 1835. A new era of medicine began in India. The social reformers in India were happy. Many educated people like Babu Durga Mohon Bondyopadhay, the Head Master of Hare School, Gunendra Mohan Thakur of Hindu College used to go to Medical College and listen to lectures .Many wealthy Indians donated money for the development of this College.
But some problems remained. Especially male Doctors were embarrassed about the treatment of women. Because girls did not come in front of male doctors. That is why female doctors are needed. Raja Radhakanta Deb was interested in studying medicine for women. Besides, Missionaries had an important role to play. Clara swain from U.S.A Fanny Butter, Rose Green Filed from England comes forward for deveoloping the health of Indian women. They said that in order to extend the number of Doctors Indian women should be given the opportunity to become Doctors. The Duffrin Fund was established by lady Duffrin in 1885. The purpose of the fund was to give women the opportunity to study medicine. Scholarships were provided to women for this purpose. Many people contributed money to this fund. In 1888 the British Government was in charge of it. The importance of the Duffrin Fund was much greater. The British was highlighting the plight of women in India. They said that ‘Satidaha’ and child marriage were obstacles’ to the advancement of women in India .The British had mentioned that patriarchal society of India had left women behind for its own sake. Due to the superstitious practice of veil, Indian women did not seek treatment from foreign Doctors. Therefore, they died prematurely. The treatment of the native Kabirajs was considered unscientific by the British.
In India, women need to be Doctors, but it was not easy. It is a far cry from the opportunity for Indian women to study Medical Science; even then British women were not given this opportunity. Mary Serley applied for admission to Madras Medical College to become a Doctor. But her application was rejected at first. Eventually she was admitted in a Dr E. Belfore effort. She was the first female Doctor in India. In 1875, Marry and three other women became doctors from Madras Medical College. They were all Europeans or Anglo Indians.
At this time, two European women applied for admission in Calcutta Medical College, but their application was rejected. On January 19, 1875, Nilkomal Mitra wrote a letter to Mr. Barand , the Secretary of Bengal, asking whether girls would have the opportunity to study Medical Science? He wanted his granddaughter to be admitted to Medical College. Her granddaughter husband Manmothanath Dutta was a medical student. He and his wife applied for admission to the Medical College, but it did not work out. In 1881, Ellen De Abru and Abala Das( daughter of Durga Mahon Das) applied for admission in Calcutta Medical College. But the Medical College Council said it was not possible to teach boys and girls together. Eventually, the two were admitted to Madras Medical College with a scholarship of Rs 20 from the Bengal Government. But in the end, Abala Das could not become a doctor.
Kadambini Bose passed F.A in 1880 and applied to Calcutta Medical College to study medicine, but her application was rejected. She passed B.A in 1882 and applied for admission to Medical College but failed again. It is said that only boys will be educated in Medical College. But she did not give up. She was helped by her father Brajokisore Bose and husband Darakanath Ganguly.Darakanath protested against this through the Brahmo Samaj. The Doctor Professor was against the medical education of the girl. Their statement was that it was shameful to give details of different parts of the body in front of the girls. Whe the Brahmo Samaj protested the British Government finally decided that girls could study in medical college if they had the qualifications. Medical education was open to girls for the Government. Kadambini was admitted to the Medical College but was facing criticism. The society could not accept ‘ Nari Jagron’ properly. Even a Bengali Doctor Dr. Rajendra Chandra Chandra spoke against this. Many contemporary newspapers spoke out against the British Government decisions. The Professors could not accept Kadambini. She was given a G.B.M.C (Graduate of Bengal Medical College) Degree as a license to practice medicine. No more honourable M.B Degree was given. She failed the practical examination of medicine. Darakanath Ganguly could not accept this injustice towards his wife. He replied and he brought Kadambini from England with a Medical Degree. She joined Lady Daffrin Hospital in 1888 as a Doctor and had a monthly salary of 300 rupees. Although she gained a reputation as a Doctor, criticism did not leave her behind. Mahesh Chandra Pal, the editor of ‘Banganibasi’ attacked her with very bad language. He called Kadambini a prostitute of Brahmo Samaj and Kadambini filed a defamation suit against him. Darakanath, Shibnath Shastri, Nilratan Sarkarwere vocal against this insult. Kadambini Ganguly was a successful professional doctor as well as a successful housewife.
Kadambini was followed by many Brhomo women. Many Christian women in India became doctors. Bidhumukhi Bose, Verginia Mary Mitra was a Chirstian of the Brahmo Samaj. Haimboty Mitra was the daughter of a zamindar of Khulna. After marriage she became a widow and moved to Kashi Benaras. Later she came to Calcutta as a teacher and married Kungu Behari Sen a leader of the Brahmo Samaj. She was admitted to Cambell Medical School. As a Doctor, she joined Duffrin Women’s Hospital in Hooghly. She became a successful Doctor and died in 1933.
Although the women of Brahma Samaj were Doctors, Hindu and Muslim girls did not come as doctors at that time. Strict social discipline was responsible for this. Anandi Bai Joshi, orthodox Hindu women from Maharashtra, was the first Hindu women to become a doctor. Gopal Rao Binyok Joshi did a small Government job and taught medical to his wife in America. Anandi Bai Joshi returned to the country and became a doctor at albert Edoward Hospital i n Kolapur. She was very good Doctor but died in 1897 at a very young age.
Kadambini Ganguly, Anandi Bai Joshi fought against the prejudices of that era and won the victory of women’s power. They proved that women are not behind men in any way. If they are given equal opportunity, they will be able to have equal power with men.
