Rukhmabai Raut was the first Indian woman to practice medicine in colonial India.
Google India paid homage to Rukhmabai on her 153rd birth anniversary of Rukhmabai Raut with a doodle.
Rukhmabai impact on Women’s Age of Consent
At the young age of 11, she was married off to a 19-year-old Dadaji Bhikaji. The couple never lived together, and Rukhmabai chose to finish her education.
Rukhmabai contested that she did not consider their marriage legitimate, and continued to live with her stepfather while simultaneously furthering her education – arguing that the marriage had taken place when she was not in the age or position to consent to it.
Dadaji moved to court seeking it to order his wife to live with him. The verdict went in favour of Dadaji. The court ordered Rukhmabai to live with her husband or face six months imprisonment. A brave Rukhmabai said she was willing to opt the latter.
The verdict was subsequently overruled by Queen Victoria. This prompted the government to bring the Age of Consent Act, 1891, despite opposition from conservative Indians.