Maharani Chimnabai II of Baroda

Maharani Chimnabai II of Baroda was born as Gajrabai Devi, to Shrimant Sardar Bajirao Amritrao Ghatge, Sarjerao of Dewas. She was Second Wife of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III of Baroda, Renamed as Maharani Chimnabai II upon Marriage .

Maharani Chimnabai 2 & Indira Raje ( Baroda ) as a Young Girl with her mother, The Maharani Chimnabai II of Baroda, wearing a ‘Nauvari’, a traditional Maharashtrian Saree | Courtesy: History of Vadodra.

She Made an Identity of her own as a Prominent Female Leader of Baroda. Working Alongside her husband, in her Early Years She was greatly influenced by his progressive ideas. She Even wrote a book on women along with S.M. Mitra, named “ THE POSITION OF WOMEN IN INDIAN LIFE ”, She Inspired , Encouraged and Established Various Organisation for the Upliftment of the Women of His State.

She was unanimously Chosen the First President of “ ALL INDIAN WOMEN CONFERENCE ” held at Pune in January 1927. She Advocated Compulsory Priamry Education for Girls and demanded abolition of child marriage at the conference. In The Year 1914, the Purdah System saw it’s Last day in Baroda when Maharani Chimnabai discarded the purdah and sat on the same sofa with the Maharaja at a Public Function in Naya Mandir.

Courtesy: history of vadodara

She Established Various various institutions for the progress of women folk of the state. The Most Important Women Institute Inspired and founded by Maharani Chimnabai was “ MAHARANI CHIMNABAI UDYOGALAYA ”. It was Started in 1941 with a view to train middle class and working class women especially widow’s in the Some crafts, So That They Become Self Supporting. Maharani Chimnabai Donated 1Lakh Rupees to Utililized for providing scholarship to female Students for receiving higher education in bombay.

Sources:

. Wikipedia

. History of vadodra