Gangabai Yagnik

Gangabai Pranshankar Yagnik (1868–1937) was a Gujarati writer from 19th century India. A teacher and an Ayurveda-practitioner by profession, she wrote Hunnar Mahasagar (1898) which was a compilation of about 2080 trades, skills and tips for self-employment. She is considered as the first female Gujarati writer. Gangabai Yagnik was born in 1868. She was native of Vavol (near Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India). Her husband died in 1881 when she was thirteen. She had refused to tonsure her head according to the custom of her time. She was sent to school by her sister where she completed her studies. She joined a primary school as an assistant teacher. She decided to study further and joined Mahalakshmi Female Training College, Ahmedabad. She left Vavol in 1887 and moved to Mansa where she was appointed a headmistress of Victoria Girl School. She was an entrepreneur who advocated swadeshi (local produce) and self-employment. She was an ayurveda-practitioner and treated gynecological problems as well. She established Garbhajivan Aushadhalaya, a hospital in Mansa, around 1879 and later started its branch at Ahmedabad. She died in 1937. She had willed to give scholarships to students from the proceeds of her hospital after her death.