Final answer:
Savitribai Phule faced opposition from those who believed women should not engage in political work, which reflects broader societal challenges of caste discrimination and gender inequality.
Step-by-step explanation:
In one of her letters, Savitribai Phule detailed the opposition she faced while working with the untouchables. This resistance came from various sectors of society, including individuals who believed women should not be involved in politics. Predominant social norms placed women on a pedestal, viewing them as separate from the political sphere, and suggesting that work like Savitribai's, which championed the cause of the untouchables, was unfit for women. These societal attitudes mirrored larger issues of caste discrimination and gender inequality evident in historical contexts. Reflecting the complexity of race and caste dynamics, this opposition is indicative of the broader challenges faced by reformers like Savitribai Phule and the Dalit community at large, who struggled against oppressive structures that governed Indian social order.
One of the sources of opposition was traditional Hindu caste system and its discrimination against the Dalits (Untouchables). In the Indian society, Dalits were considered lower caste and were subjected to social, economic, and political discrimination. They were restricted from entering Hindu places of worship, denied access to clean water sources, and forced to perform menial and degrading jobs. The opposition Savitribai faced underscores the deep-rooted inequality and prejudice prevalent in Indian society.