I. Evolution of Women Education:

Development of women education in Rajasthan became possible with the efforts of the government missionary institutions, social reformers and public educational institutions.

1. Government Efforts – 

In 1866 the first girls government school was set up in Pushkar, Ajmer, Merwara centre, followed by other girls schools in Bharatpur on 7th September 1866 and Udaipur (the same year), in Alwar and Kota in 1872 and in Jhalawar in 1883. In 1886 Haveson girls school was opened in Jodhpur. In 1885 the Muslim girls school was set up in the Tonk state and then in 1888 in Bikaner during Lady Elgin’s visit.

2. Missionary Efforts – 

The Missionary institution contributed largely to the women education in Rajasthan. In 1861 the first girls vernacular school was opened in Nasirabad. It was the first of its kind in many respects. It was the first school of Rajputana, where the girls scout- guide was introduced. Three girls students of this institution were sent for scholarship for further studies in the Agra Medical College in 1894. 

3. Efforts by the Social Reformers – 

Swami Dayanand Saraswati started propaganda for women education through the Propakarini Sabha set up in Ajmer. The Arya Samaj made untiring efforts for the spread of education in Ajmer, Udaipur, Bharatpur, and Shekhawati. It is a founded belief that the Savitri college of Ajmer (1913) and the Udaipur, Mahila Vidhalya were the Arya Samaj inspired institution.

In 1910 the teachers’ training classes were started. In 1866 the Missionary village school was started in Pushkar. A central school and its seven branches were opened in the different localities in Ajmer.

4. Public Educational Institutions –

During the Independence movement the public voluntary Educational Institutions were established though this process had started during the Kissan Andolan but they were more ordered and organised during the national movement led by Mahatma Gandhi. In 1921 Sangasi Sammelan of Shekhawati the women education was adopted as a programme. In 1927 the Gandhi Ashram was set up at Hatundi, Ajmer.

It became the Mahila Education Sadan in 1945. From 1927- to 1945 it remained the centre of activities of the nationalists and the volunteers of Rajputana. In Nov. 1938 Mahila Mandai was formed in Udaipur. A residential school was opened in Udaipur to educate the girls in the tribal areas. Vanasthali Vidhyapeeth came into existence in Oct. 1935 for the women education.

It is known for its five dimensional education – 

Drill, Yoga, Games-sports etc. 

Practical Education 

Painting, music etc. 

Moral Education – Daily prayer, Discourse, Daily thoughts

Intellectual education. Besides, there was a special significance given to Charkha and Khadi. Mahila Parishad of Bhilwara and Jat-hostel of Shekhawati were also the main centres of women education. Basic education was the special feature of the educational institutions inspired by the Gandhian ideology. In these institutions women were taught to make Charkha, to run Charkha, to weave and use Khadi, to dig wells etc, so as to make them self dependent.

Curriculum of studies for women:

In the beginning their education remained limited to sewing, weaving and domestic activities. In 1875 the course of studies included knowledge of language and 3 Rs i.e. reading, writing and Arithmetic’. In 1937 a proposal to introduce the common syllabus for girls and boys, was approved in the 3rd session of the National Mahila Samiti and on this basis the education Board introduced common syllabus for the primary education. System of common syllabus had already been introduced at the level of High school and college level.

II. Obstruction to the Evolution of Women Education:

On the basis of the archives documents there were many obstacles to the progress of women education as

1. Purdah Pratha 

2. Child marriage 

3. lack of qualified teachers 

4. Natural calamities and 

5. Geographical distances.

Solution to these problems was however, found in the later period, especially, after the First World War. The military personnel who came from the foreign countries, had developed liberal outlook, secondly, the national revolutionaries and the social reformers made the common man understand the significance of education. Even women developed sense of importance of self dependence.