RS
Social Reformer and Educationist

Ratan Shastri

Born 5 October 1912 · verify — Died 1 January 1998

Founded Banasthali Vidyapith, a pioneering women's university in India.

Ratan Shastri, also called Ratandevi Shastri, was founder of Banasthali Vidyapith and a notable champion of women education. She was a notable woman freedom fighter of Rajputana and wife of Hiralal Shastri, first Chief Minister of Rajasthan. She was a recipient of Padma Shri in 1955, Padma Bhushan in 1975, and Jamnalal Bajaj Award for outstanding contribution in the field of uplift and welfare of women and children in 1990. Ratan Shastri was a strong pillar of Parajamandal Movement in Jaipur state during the Indian national Movement.

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A detail that
surprised us

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Ratan Shastri broke social norms by selling all her jewelry and refusing to wear a nose ring, a rare choice for married women of her time and class, to embody Gandhian simplicity.

The Story

1
In 1935, Ratan Shastri founded Shri Shantabai Shiksha Kutir in memory of her deceased daughter, starting what would become Banasthali Vidyapith, a pioneering girls' school in Rajasthan.
2
🌾 By 1943, the institution expanded to offer a BA program and was renamed Banasthali Vidyapith, marking its evolution into a higher education center for women.
3During the late 1930s, when Jaipur state leaders were imprisoned in 1939, Ratan Shastri stepped up to lead the Prajamandal Movement, organizing protests and inspiring Satyagrahis in the region.
4She sold all her jewelry and adopted Khadi clothing in line with Gandhian principles, setting an uncommon example for women in affluent Indian families during the independence struggle.

🏅 Awards & Honours

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Padma Shri

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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In 1939, when several Jaipur state leaders were arrested during the Prajamandal Movement, Ratan Shastri emerged as a key organizer and leader, mobilizing protests in a male-dominated freedom struggle environment.

📸 Through the Years

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🗓️ A Life in Moments

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Birth
Birth of Ratan Shastri
Ratan Shastri was born in Madhya Pradesh, later becoming a major figure in Rajasthan's social reform and education.
1912
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Other
Marriage to Hiralal Shastri
At age 12, Ratan Shastri married Hiralal Shastri, who would become Rajasthan's first Chief Minister and a freedom fighter.
1924
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Career
Founded girls' school in memory of daughter
Started Shri Shantabai Shiksha Kutir, the foundation of Banasthali Vidyapith, focusing on girls' education in Rajasthan.
1935
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Career
Leadership in Prajamandal Movement
Took active leadership role when Jaipur state leaders were imprisoned, mobilizing Satyagrahis and protests.
1939
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Career
Renamed Banasthali Vidyapith with BA program
Expanded the institution to offer higher education degrees for women, marking a new phase in its growth.
1943
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Award
Awarded Padma Shri
Received Padma Shri for contributions to education and social reform in India.
1955
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Award
Awarded Padma Bhushan
Honored with Padma Bhushan recognizing decades of service to women’s education and social welfare.
1975
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Career
Banasthali Vidyapith deemed university
The University Grants Commission granted deemed university status to Banasthali Vidyapith.
1983
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Award
Received Jamnalal Bajaj Award
Awarded for outstanding contribution to the uplift and welfare of women and children in India.
1990
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🗝️Discoveries

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01 / 04
👤PERSONAL

Despite her affluent background, Ratan Shastri sold all her jewelry and dressed only in rough Khadi fabric to adhere strictly to Gandhian ideals, a radical personal sacrifice uncommon among upper-class women at the time.

02 / 04
👤PERSONAL

The girls’ school Ratan Shastri founded in 1935 was initially named after her deceased daughter, Shantabai, linking personal tragedy to her mission for women's education.

03 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

Banasthali Vidyapith, started as a small school, was recognized as a deemed university by the University Grants Commission in 1983, nearly 50 years after its founding.

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🌱 What changed because of them

Ratan Shastri’s founding of Banasthali Vidyapith created a lasting institution that transformed women’s education in Rajasthan, providing holistic education that empowered generations of female leaders and activists. Her leadership in the Prajamandal Movement strengthened grassroots political activism in Jaipur state during the freedom struggle. The university’s continued prominence stands as a testament to her vision of combining education with social reform and nationalism.

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