Rukhmabai was a child bride who later took her husband to court when her in-laws insisted she move into the marital home. It was a case that gained much attention in the British press during the 1880s, bringing the issue of child marriage and the rights of women to the fore. Several letters both from and about Rukhmabai are held here in the Lyttleton collection of Queen Mary’s archives.
Rukhmabai had many supporters. One of these supporters was Katherine Lyttelton, who was stationed out in India with her husband General Sir Neville Lyttelton. Whilst in India, Katherine founded the English organised ‘Rukhmabai Defence Committee.’ The defence committee met regularly and hoped by getting parliament in England to discuss the trial it would prompt the Indian government to change the law regarding child brides.
The archive holds several letters sent from Rukhmabai to Katherine detailing the events of the court case and its aftermath. Rukhmabai agreed to a settlement in her particular case but hoped this would not get in the way of the Defence Committee’s attempts to change the law. She writes to thank Katherine for her help and for founding the committee, believing that without it she would not have won in court.
After leaving India to return to England, Katherine kept in contact with Rukhmabai following the case. A letter sent from Rukhmabai on 18 March 1889 to Katherine thanks her for her help throughout the trials and the interest taken in Rukhmabai’s personal welfare. After winning the case a fund was raised and Rukhmabai went on to train as a doctor in England, later returning to India to practice medicine and help other women.