num_pages: 253
description: Himself: The Autobiography of a Hindu Lady, Translated and Adapted by Katherine Van Akin Gates from a book written in the Marathi language by Mrs. Ramabai Ranade, founder of the Seva Sadan Society, one of the first organizations to introduce educational, medical and social service for women in India.This is a true story of real people. They lived in Western India during the latter part of the last century. Mrs. Ramabai Ranade introduces herself as a spoiled little girl of eleven, and explains why she has remained unmarried for so long. At that time her father arranged with Mr. Ranade's father for her marriage to his son. This son was already a graduate of University and Law School, a member of the Bar and a judge in a lower court, a mature, gifted man of thirty-two who was married to an illiterate eleven year old.The story follows the young wife through the years of her adjustment and education, showing the discipline afforded her by the joint family system. Her husband insisted on teaching her both Marathi and English, and training her to take part in the educational and social reforms which he sponsored. How these two people, in spite of discrepancy in age and educational equipment, succeed in creating a happy home and in establishing a splendid relationship between themselves, is the thread of intense human interest which weaves the story together. Although different from Western ideas, this ideal Indian womanhood, as it comes to us through the experience of this gifted woman of another race, has universal appeal.(front flap)
language: English
title: Himself: The Autobiography of a Hindu Lady
publisher: Longmans, Green and Eo.