Christian Cyclopedia

(1858–1922). Hindu educator; b. S India; father Brahmin; because of her gifts and learning and the esteem in which she came to be held she was called “Pandita” (related to Eng. “pundit”), highest title possible for a native woman in India; known in full as Pandita Sarasvati Ramabai or Pandita Ramabai Sarasvati (sarasvati: “divine embodiment of language, literary expression, and learning”); bap. 1883 in England; visited Am. 1886 and with resultant gifts est. Sarada Sadan (“House” [or “Home”] of Wisdom”), a nonsectarian school for high caste Hindu girls, esp. child widows, at Bombay 1889; this school moved to Poona 1890/91. At Khedgaon (Kedgoan), ca. 30 mi. from Poona, an additional institution called Mukti Sadan (“House” [or “Home”] of Salvation”) was est., largely for girls of low caste; it included a farm, ch., hosp., and printing press. Tr. Bible into Marathi.