Sambodhi 1983 Vol 12

Author(s): Dalsukh Malvania, H C Bhayani, Nagin J Shah
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 90

Preparing the women for Decolonization: The Role of Gujarat 55
Number of Guls (in the guls school).
42
38
Year
1850
1853
1854 1855
84
132
The report (1852-53) of the society states that the guls school founded by Harko Shethani, widow of Hathisingh Kesari Singh a noted philanthrophist of Ahmedabad, was under the Society's management, According to the report, the working of the school was not sitisfactory, but the expecta tion was to improve the condition. Sheth Umabhai Hathisingh on behalf of Harkor Shethani awarded the prizes of Rs.250 to the students. 22 The pioneer work of the girls education was started under the School of Gujarat Varnacular Society. 23 Further, Shethani Harkoi bai donated the amount of Rs.6,000 for the girls school and besides she agreed to donate Rs.4,000 for the building of the school. 24 In December 1955 the Governor personally came to inspect the schoo! He conducted the examination of the guls. After the completion of the examination the girls played garbas and the prizes were distributed to them. 25 This was an important step towards the upliftment of women in general and the guls students in particular. This was also a noteworthy cultural 1esponse paving the way towards decolonization.
According to the Society's report of 1854-55 Shethani Harkorbai continued to render the financial assistance for the school and she agreed to give Rs. 12,000. The foundation stone of the building of the girls school was laid on the 26th October 1858 27
As far as the gils education was concerned the society took keen interest not only in the city of Ahmedabad but also in the other urban and rural centres of Gujarat. In 1859 there were nine girls schools in Gujarat. Out of these three were in Ahmedabad, two in Surat, Bhavnagar, Rajkot, Limdi, Nadiad and Gondal each had one. Even in Mahudha, Nadiad and Kapadvanj the girls education was progressing." 8
In 1870 Miss Mary Carpenter who was intensely interested in the girls education visited Ahmedabad for the third time and the efforts were made to train women teachers. 29 In 1872 Rav Bahadui Bahechaidas Ambaidas Lashkari donated Rs. 10,000 for the purpose. 30 The Mahalakshmi female training college catered the need of female teachers At a time when female education was increasing, the need to create female teachers