Tucked away quietly in the village of Raduli in Paikgachha upazila of Khulna, lies a place few have heard of, yet it is the birthplace of an unforgettable chapter in the history of women’s emancipation in the Indian subcontinent. Bhuban Mohini Girls’ Secondary School is not just a name—it is a milestone in the history of female education in South Asia.
The year was 1850. At a time when women’s education was frowned upon, shunned by society, and barricaded by superstition and disbelief, a visionary named Harish Chandra Roy dared to dream differently. In the face of resistance, he believed in the right of women to learn and grow—he believed girls were human beings too, deserving of education and dignity.
Behind this remarkable story stands another legendary figure. During a visit to Raduli, the reformer Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar urged Harish Chandra Roy to establish a school dedicated solely to girls. Taking this advice to heart, Harish Chandra not only founded the school but also named it after his wife, Bhuban Mohini. In a time when such an act was revolutionary, he enrolled his own wife as the school’s first student—sending a bold message to society that women’s education was not a shame, but a source of pride.
Raduli’s legacy does not end there. On August 2, 1861, this very village gave birth to one of the subcontinent’s greatest scientists—Acharya Prafulla Chandra (P.C.) Roy—a pioneer in the field of chemistry. It is rare to find a single village that stands as a witness to both the dawn of women’s education and groundbreaking scientific achievement.
Today, as we take pride in the progress of women’s education, the story of Bhuban Mohini Girls’ School reminds us that the seeds of emancipation were sown deep in the soil of Bengal. The courage of Harish Chandra Roy, the vision of Vidyasagar, and the pioneering role of Bhuban Mohini together bestowed upon this school an unparalleled legacy.
More than 175 years later, this school still stands—passing the light of knowledge from generation to generation. This bold initiative, born in a remote rural corner of Bengal, proves that changing the world doesn’t require a bustling capital city—only the courage of big-hearted individuals.
This history is our pride—and our responsibility. As newer generations learn about equality and women’s rights, we must remember that a group of determined people in an obscure village dreamt that dream long before us. And that dream still lights the way for countless girls who refuse to be stopped by any wall.
Feature by: Tarik Litu, Head of News, Liberty News.
