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Margaret Elizabeth Noble was a teacher, social reformer, and supporter of India’s freedom. She worked hard to improve education for women in India. Known as Sister Nivedita, she was a student of Swami Vivekananda and was loved for her kind work and teaching. She also helped the Indian independence movement by supporting the fight for freedom. In this blog, you will learn more about Sister Nivedita, also called Margaret Elizabeth Noble.
Contents
Early Life and Background
Margaret Noble was born in Tyrone, Ireland, on October 28, 1867, and came from Irish ancestry.
- Her father, Samuel Noble, served as a priest in an Irish Church, and her mother, Mary Noble, was a young kindhearted woman.
- She used to frequently accompany her grandfather and father to the homes of the poor, offering her assistance. Margaret had a remarkable capacity for empathy.
- This led to growing dissatisfaction with the practices of the existing orthodox religion, causing her to suffer from doubt and uncertainty.
- She became an ardent supporter and disciple of Swami Vivekananda after she met in the year 1895.
- It was during this period that Swami Vivekananda arrived in London, spreading his message of Vedanta. Margaret described his words as “living water to men perishing of thirst.”
- She became a teacher at the age of 17 and was supposed to get married. However, her fiance died before their marriage.
- She came back to Bengal in the year 1895 after extensively studying subjects like physics, literature, music and various religious books.
| Overview of Sister Nivedita | |
| Name | Margaret Elizabeth Noble |
| Date of Birth | 28 October, 1867 |
| Place of Birth | Tyrone, Ireland |
| Tittle Name | Sister Nivedita |
| Profession | Social Reformer |
| Teacher | |
| Writer | |
| Disciple of | Swami Vivekananda |
| Death | 1911 in Darjeeling aged 43 |
Sister Nivedita: As Teacher
Nivedita established her school at No.16, Bosepara Lane in Bagh Bazar, Kolkata on November 13, 1898, with the blessings of the Holy Mother.
- At that time, parents from the Orthodox Indian society were reluctant to send their daughters to a school, especially one led by a woman from a different culture.
- However, Nivedita succeeded in starting with a few girls of various ages. Meeting the school’s expenses and sustaining herself was extremely challenging.
- Her life was forever altered on 25 March 1898, the day she entered monastic life. Swami Vivekananda welcomed her into the Brahmacharya vow, bestowing upon her the name ‘Nivedita’, which translates to ‘the dedicated one’.
- This made her the inaugural Western woman to formally commit to monastic life in India.
- She also formed a deep bond with Sarada Devi, the wife of Ramakrishna, and became deeply devoted to her.
“If the many and the One be indeed the same Reality, then it is not all modes of worship alone, but equally all modes of work, all modes of struggle, all modes of creation, which are paths of realization. No distinction, henceforth, between sacred and secular. To labour is to pray. To conquer is to renounce. Life is itself religion. To have and to hold is as stern a trust as to quit and to avoid.”
― Sister Nivedita
Sister Nivedita embarked on extensive travels throughout India, gaining profound knowledge of Indian history and philosophy, as well as acquiring the ability to speak Bengali. Swami Vivekananda entrusted her with the mission of advancing women’s education in India.
In June 1899, Nivedita travelled to Europe and America to seek financial support for her school in India. She returned in February 1902, the same year Swami Vivekananda passed away. To honour his legacy, she intensified her efforts, driven by her belief that a nation under foreign rule could not hope for social, political, or cultural renewal. Nivedita made her school a hub for nationalistic activities, with Vande Mataram as the school’s prayer.
Role in Indian History and the Independence Movement
Sister Nivedita’s influence extended beyond education; she played an active role in India’s struggle for independence. Her support for Indian nationalism was profound, as she encouraged self-reliance and pride in Indian heritage.
- Participated in nationalist activities alongside prominent leaders of the time.
- Inspired revolutionary youth by supporting efforts for India’s freedom.
- Worked closely with Swami Vivekananda’s disciples and other freedom fighters.
- Used her writings and speeches to spread awareness about India’s rich history and potential.
Her dedication made her a respected figure in nationalist circles, and her work helped build a sense of unity and purpose among Indians during a critical period.
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The Kolkata Plaque
In March 1899, a plague epidemic struck Kolkata. Inspired and guided by Vivekananda, Nivedita took immediate action to combat the crisis.
- She formed a team of dedicated individuals among the inspired youth who joined her in the fight.
- They cleaned the streets and alleys and cared for the sick. Nivedita worked tirelessly, often forgoing meals and rest.
- She even stopped drinking milk to save money for others. Her health deteriorated as she travelled from house to house, desperately seeking to overcome death.
- At times, Nivedita stayed with the grieving for hours, providing comfort and sympathy. Her team continued their relentless efforts for a month before they managed to control the disease.
Books by Sister Nivedita
Some of her notable works include –
| Books | Year of Publication |
| Kali the Mother | 1900 |
| The Web of Indian Life | 1904 |
| Cradle Tales of Hinduism | 1907 |
| The Master as I Saw Him | 1910 |
| Civic & national ideals | 1929 |
In 1911, at the age of 43, Sister Nivedita passed away in Darjeeling, West Bengal due to poor health. A memorial was built in Darjeeling to honour her, which reads, ‘Here lies Sister Nivedita, who dedicated her life to India.”
FAQs
Nivedita was a follower of Swami Vivekananda and hence, Swami Vivekananda gave her the name Nivedita.
Margaret Elizabeth Noble
Sister Nivedita was an author, Irish teacher, social activist and disciple of Swami Vivekananda. She relentlessly worked for the upliftment of women’s education and worked on the path described by Swami Vivekananda.
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