Pandita Ramabai's America: Conditions of Life in the United States

Pandita Ramabai (1858-1922) renowned for her amazing learning in an age when most Indian women did not even learn to read became a world-famous social reformer and speaker. When Ramabais travels brought her to the United States she decided to record her impressions of America and its citizens to share with her compatriots back home. Presenting in English the full text of Ramabais well-written and charming work this volume can be compared with that of Alexis de Tocqueville. In these pages Ramabai describes and assesses American domestic conditions education religious life government and business. While upholding some aspects of American life especially the improved status of women as ideals for her own country Ramabai also makes insightful criticisms of life in the United States.