Richard Sorabji

Cornelia Sorabji was a trailblazing Indian woman who achieved several firsts in legal and educational fields during the British Raj. Born in 1866, she was the first woman to graduate from Bombay University and the first woman to study law at Oxford. Upon returning to India, she dedicated herself to aiding women confined by purdah, who were often unable to access legal representation. Despite facing systemic barriers as a woman in the legal profession, Sorabji worked tirelessly to advocate for these women, eventually becoming India's first female advocate. She was also a social reformer who championed education for women and took a cautious approach to social change, believing it should be gradual and rooted in education. Sorabji authored several influential books detailing her experiences and observations of Indian women's lives. She passed away in 1954.

Cornelia Sorabji's legal career was marked by her dedication to serving women secluded by purdah, who often faced significant challenges in protecting their property and rights due to their inability to interact with the male-dominated legal system. Although initially unable to represent them in court, she found ways to provide legal advice and assistance. Sorabji pursued legal qualifications, becoming the first female advocate in India after passing the LLB and pleader's examinations. Her efforts contributed to the eventual change in law in 1923, which allowed women to practice as barristers. She was appointed as a Lady Assistant to the Court of Wards, extending her reach to women and orphans across several provinces, helping hundreds navigate legal battles.

Sorabji was deeply involved in social reform, with a particular emphasis on improving the lives of women and children. She advocated for women's education as a fundamental prerequisite for meaningful political reform, believing that progress was unsustainable without widespread literacy. While she supported the British Raj and traditional practices like purdah for upper-caste Hindu women, she also worked to reform certain Hindu laws, such as those concerning child marriage and Sati. Sorabji was cautious about rapid societal changes and opposed the uncritical adoption of Western perspectives, seeking instead a more organic evolution of Indian society. She was associated with various women's organizations and promoted girls' education through groups like Bharat Stree Mahamandal.

In her later career, Sorabji developed staunchly anti-nationalist views and became a vocal supporter of the British Empire and the continuation of British rule in India. She aligned herself with critiques of Indian self-rule, notably endorsing Katherine Mayo's controversial book 'Mother India' and condemning Mahatma Gandhi's civil disobedience movement. These political stances, which she actively promoted through public speaking and tours, led to a loss of support for her later social reform initiatives. Despite these controversies, her autobiographical works were influential in the early 20th century, offering a unique perspective on her life and experiences.