The School for Bad Girls

by Madhurima Vidyarthi

Something strange is happening in the heart of the British Empire.

Nineteenth-century Calcutta is abuzz with social reforms, especially with regard to womens' rights and education. And in this time, Kadambini Ganguly dreams of going to university—and in the ultimate audacious hope—wants to become a doctor.

But for many people, the idea of girls studying is anathema. And a school full of unmarried girls and widows getting an education, in an environment where caste is disregarded and every student treated as an equal, leads to charges of immorality. And the battle to get the right to a college education is against overwhelming odds.

The fictionalised story of Kadambini, one of the first women graduates of the British Empire and the first woman to get a degree from an Indian medical college, is rivetingly told by Madhurima Vidyarthi, in a fascinating portrait of nineteenth century life, society and its arbitrary mores.

316 pages, Paperback

First published October 14, 2024

About the author

Hi, I am Madhurima. In my day job, I am an endocrinologist; trained in Kolkata and London and a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (UK) and have always been a passionately committed writer.

My latest release is "Job Charnock and The Potter's Boy", a historical novel set in British India.

My previous books were The School for Bad Girls', Duckbill (Penguin Random House India), a fictionalised telling of the women's emancipation and education movement in India, featuring Kadambini Ganguly, the first woman to train as a doctor in India. The same imprint previously published My Grandmother’s Masterpiece in February 2022 and Munni Monster in February 2023.

An upcoming historical novel for adults is slated to be released in January 2025 by Niyogi Books.

I am also part of the Italian Consulate initiative ‘Bridge of Stories’ – an anthology of short fiction by Indian and Italian writers. I have written for The Woman Inc. and Saaranga Magazine, among others.

​Over the years I have written in many formats – articles for The Statesman (Kolkata), scripts for educational documentaries (EMMRC, St Xavier’s College, Kolkata) and for a CD-ROM created by Price Waterhouse Coopers on Satyajit Ray (narrated by Sir Richard Attenborough). But my enduring love has always been fiction.

More about me and more of my writing can be found at www.madhurimavidyarthi.com and https://www.instagram.com/madhurimavi...

Reviews

[Kiranmayi · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://blog.medhaapps.com/2025/11/bo...

1876 Calcutta — Hindu Mahila Bidyalaya an exclusive boarding school for girls where young girls of all ages and castes studied together, has been started by Monomohan Ghosh, lovingly called Dadamoni by Kadambini Ganguly; Dadamoni is her Pishima’s Son and is a barrister who returned back from England. The school is run by an English lady Miss Annette Akroyd.

When eleven-year-old Kumudini is thrashed badly and thrown out of her in-law’s house, she is found and rescued by Dwarakanath Gangopadhyay, who took her to his home. Bidhumukhi, Dwarakanath’s daughter nurses Kumud back to good health. Dwarakanth, referred to as Panditmoshai worked as everything at the school when it first started in 1873 with just five or six girls — from headmaster to gatekeeper, from teaching every subject except English.

When the school had to be shut down few years later, Panditmoshai started a new school in mid 1876 — Banga Mahila Bidyalaya. The new school was supported by two mistresses — Miss Mary Jennings and Miss Fiona Anderson. But soon the school faces crunch of funds; will Pandimoshai be able to sustain the school and will Kadambini be able to fulfill her dream of becoming a doctor forms rest of the story.

This is the true-life story of Kadambini Bose, first lady doctor of India. The story begins when Kadambini moved to Calcutta to study in the Hindu Mahila Bidyalaya, later moved to Banga Mahila Bidyalaya which is later merged with Bethune High School. She further studied at Bethune college, completing her graduate degree and later medicine from Calcutta medical college. All through her studies, Kadambini was the first girl to appear for scholarship exams or entrance exams, in most ways first lady student at many colleges and courses.

The story also touches on the societal practices during that period as once Sati has been abolished, young widows of less than ten years of age were considered as a burden to their families and lived without any respect. The story in parallel narrates the life of Kumud starting from when she was thrown mercilessly onto the streets by her in-laws to following Kadambini’s footsteps to excelling in studies.

The story highlights men like Panditmoshai who fought their entire life for empowerment of girls even at the risk of being ostracized from their community. While Kadambini herself leads this fight, Panditmoshai was her guide and mentor at every step. The author also narrates about the English men and women who equally supported such causes, striking balance with all those who opposed girls’ education, essentially highlighting how nation, gender or caste were not the drivers rather an individual’s sensibilities and commitment.

The biggest drawback of such a wonderful story is the slow pace. While the books starts well establishing all the main characters and their back stories, midway the story drags at places. The story again picks pace in the final pages and even feels rushed at places towards the climax. While it is understandable that the author had to squeeze more than ten years of events into the story, I would have liked more balance in pace between the first and second halves.

While women are still fighting today for equal rights, after more than hundred and fifty years since this story, it is important for the current generation to know how girls first got entry into colleges and higher education. Kadambini’s struggle at every step of education paved way for the future generations and I highly recommend this book to be read by people of all ages.

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was always fascinated by Kadambini Ganguly, the first Indian woman to get a degree in Western medicine and practice in India. Even looking at her from the perspective of a woman born more than a century after she was, her achievements were incredible. Not only was she a doctor with a flourishing practice, she was active in the freedom movement and was associated with social causes, she managed to balance it all with being a wife and the mother of eight children. How did she manage all that in an age where women were not even encouraged to learn to read and write, I often wondered.
Unlike India's first 'lady doctor', Anandibai Joshi, who was educated at home by her husband and went to the United States to get her medical degree, Kadambini Ganguly fought for systemic change. She challenged a society that believed that women were incapable of studying, and took entrance exams under full public gaze to gain the right to attend classes and sit for exams with the men. Had she failed, not only would she have lost the right to aspire to higher studies, but other women would have too. I was always curious to learn more about her, and this book addresses all that and more.
"The School for Bad Girls" is exactly what the title says it is- it is a fictionalised story of the women's emancipation movement in Bengal, with a focus on Kadambini Ganguly. Many of the characters are based on real people, but many are composite characters created to show the diversity of women who attended the "school for bad girls". The narrator, Kumudh, is a child widow who was trashed and thrown out of her marital home. While she is waiting for death to take her away and end her suffering, she is rescued by a Brahmo educator who ends up becoming her benefactor. While she doesn't need much persuation to grow her hair and shed her her widow's "taan", changing her notions of what women in general and widows in particular can and cannot do takes much longer. She hero worships Kadambini Didi, but rapidly traverses the path opened up by her. Through Kumudh, the author shows the extraordinary achievement of Kadambini Ganguly- by fighting the battles she fought, she made it easier for an entire generation of women to aspire to higher education!
No book about 19th century Bengal can be complete without discussions about patriarchy, colonialisation and of how women face a double disadvantage. The book also shows how each of the women had her own agency- while many of them might have started studying because their families wanted them to get an education, after coming to school, they developed their own agency, and dreamt dreams that were perhaps beyond those their families dreamt of for them.
The author clearly did a lot of research before writing this book, and I love the fact that she chose to write it as a fictionalised account rather than as a biography. It is a book I would recommend to people who are interested in reading stories of women and the women's rights movement.

[Ekta M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did you know?
Kadambini Ganguly was the first Indian woman to qualify as a doctor in erstwhile British India when she got a Graduate of the Medical College, Bengal degree in 1886.

•This book is based on Kadambini's story.

Book- The School For Bad Girls
Author- @madhurimavidyarthi
Genre- Historical Fiction ( middle grade)
Age 12+
Published by @penguinsters
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Year 1876, Calcutta.

During those times girls were forbidden to study and were married off early.
Kumud,a widow around eleven years old was beaten black and blue and kicked out of the house by her in-laws. Her only fault was that she was caught tracing the letters on a slate. Later she was rescued by Dwarkanath Babu who sent her to Banga Mahila Bidyalaya. There she meets Kadambini Didi.
Kadambini had arrived in Calcutta in 1874 from Bhagalpur, as education in calcutta was much better. She had dreamed of becoming a doctor.
_____
•This book narrates Kadambini's school days and the challenges she faced from the society who tried to stop her and were intolerant of her achievements.

Through Kumud's story the book goes on to show the challenges faced by a widow and how if educated, can do wonders.

There are other historical characters in the book such as a Dwarkanath Ganguly who contributed towards women's education and fought against many other things like child marriage, purdah, polygamy.

Although fiction, majority of the characters in the book are Historical. Its a poweful read and super engaging. The author beautifully paints a picture of the 19th century life, of women's rights and education.
The story shows how education for girls was the problem and they were married off as early as 6 year old and how some people fought hard to break this pattern. Although kumud seems to be the fictional character, her story is inspiring throughout. I really enjoyed the part where letters were exchanged between Kumud and Bidhu didi. Sometimes parts of story got emotional for me. The author has done a great job for bringing forth this story as i myself wasn't aware of Kadambini. Such books should be made a part of school syllabus.

[Deotima Sarkar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Madhurima Vidyarthi brings to us The School for Bad Girls, a masterfully woven historical novel that transports readers to 19th-century Bengal, capturing the turbulent journey of women fighting for their right to education. The novel blends fact and fiction seamlessly, offering a deeply personal yet historically rich account of this struggle.
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The novel follows Kadambini Bose (later Ganguly), a pioneer who defied societal norms to become one of India’s first female doctors. However, as always the brilliance lies in how the author introduces Kumud, a fictional child widow who is cast out. We see the bigger movement for women's education unfolding through Kumud's own eyes—from outcaste to student at Banga Mahila Vidyalaya, her own transformation reflects the silent revolution taking place around and inside her.
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What makes Vidyarthi’s storytelling so impactful is her subtle handling of heavy themes. Rather than explicitly stating injustices, she allows the narrative to reveal them organically. Her use of multiple formats—diary entries and traditional storytelling—adds layers to the narrative, making the reader feel the weight of each triumph and setback. The prose is evocative yet restrained, letting the characters and their circumstances speak for themselves.
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The book also illustrates the general socio-political climate at the time, addressing child marriage, widowhood, and colonialization without rendering the book a history lesson. Vidyarthi depicts a rich scene of 19th-century Calcutta where transformation is building but opposition is fierce. Even anti-women's education forces are not caricatures but outcomes of a stubbornly entrenched system.

Kadambini’s achievements are monumental, yet the novel emphasizes that progress is rarely an individual feat—it is built on collective struggle. Kumud's transformation is just as compelling as Kadambini’s, proving that education is not just about personal success but about breaking generational barriers. the reader cannot help but admire the women of the past for their strength and determination.
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[Varsha Seshan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This powerful book is about a struggle for something that should never have been a struggle at all, yet continues to be one.

Set in nineteenth century Calcutta, The School for Bad Girls is a fictionalised account of Kadambini Bose’s obstacle-ridden path to becoming a doctor. (Side note – despite what the blurb says, I would refer to her as Kadambini Bose. She begins to dream of becoming a doctor, and she sets out on her difficult path, when she is still Bose, not Ganguly!)

The mixture of real and fictional characters, as well as the use of multiple storytelling formats, made me enjoy the book thoroughly. Diary entries, letters and narration come together seamlessly to tell the story of girls fighting prejudice and conditioning to make something of themselves. The idea of a mere female becoming a doctor is absurd—until it isn’t.

I was sucked into a whirlwind of emotion and action. This is a story of dreams and grit. It’s about coming together to support one another, but also about having the strength to stand on your own when others fall back. The conflict within each one of the fiery characters in the book came alive to me, spotlighting the fact that stigma doesn’t exist just in society. It is deeply entrenched within us and we often have to struggle to get rid of it. The School for Bad Girls is a powerful narrative that, like all good fiction, stays with you long after you’ve finished the story.

[Enakshi J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Madhurima Vidyarthi’s The School for Bad Girls is a compelling narrative set against the backdrop of 19th-century Calcutta, a time of social upheaval and reform. The book chronicles the inspiring story of Kadambini Ganguly, a pioneering woman who dared to dream of a college education and a career in medicine despite the oppressive societal norms of her time.

Vidyarthi’s meticulous research and evocative storytelling bring to life a world where the idea of women studying was met with hostility and accusations of immorality. Kadambini’s journey from a school for widows and unmarried girls to becoming one of the first female graduates of the British Empire is as much a testament to her resilience as it is an indictment of the rigid patriarchal structures of her era.

The narrative masterfully intertwines Kadambini’s personal struggles with the broader social reforms taking place in colonial India. Vidyarthi paints a vivid picture of the period’s cultural and educational landscape, immersing readers in the challenges faced by women who dared to challenge tradition.

‘The School for Bad Girls’ is both an inspiring biography and a powerful commentary on gender equality and education. It’s a must-read for those interested in women’s history, Indian reform movements, and stories of extraordinary courage.

[Harsh Tyagi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The School for Bad Girls by Madhurima Vidyarthi is a powerful and inspiring story set in nineteenth-century Calcutta. It follows Kadambini Ganguly, one of the first women to graduate from the British Empire and pursue a medical degree in India. The author brings Kadambini’s journey to life with rich details about the struggles women faced at the time, especially when it came to education.

One of the things I loved most was the inclusion of Kadambini’s diary entries. These entries were my favourite part of the novel. They give a closer look at her thoughts and feelings, making her journey feel much more personal and real. The author's way of including these is truly brilliant and it adds depth to the story.

The afterword was also very insightful, offering a deeper understanding of Kadambini’s historical significance and the challenges she faced. This made the novel feel even more meaningful.

This is a full-fledged novel for young adults, with an inspiring story that shows the power of determination and the fight for education. Madhurima Vidyarthi has created something that not only entertains but also encourages readers to believe in themselves, no matter the odds. It’s a book that I think many young readers will find moving, motivating as well as fascinating. And it's perfect for adults too!

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells the story of Kadambini Ganguly and her path to becoming a doctor in India in the late 19th century, a time and place where women's education was not undervalued, but looked down upon. Though many of the barriers Kadambini and her fellow students faced were a product of the times, a few of their struggles are still felt by women today both in India and abroad. It's a reminder of how far the world has advanced since the 19th century, and how much further we still have to go.

Although this is labeled as a "young adult novel" it can still be enjoyed by adults and youths alike.

[Rohit Saraf · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a little gem of a book. It is many things- a pioneering India doctor's story, a story about the strengths of female friendship, a critique of patriarchy, a boarding school tale and a history of British India seen from the eyes of its protagonists. But above all, and flowing through every page of this book, it is about the love of the author for her characters. Read it and you will fall in love with them too. Absolutely recommend for ages 12 and above.

[Aditi Krishnakumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

The School for Bad Girls is one of those historical fiction books that gives you a real sense of its era and setting. Of its protagonists, Kumud, through whose eyes we see events unfold, is a delight; Kadambini moves through the pages with an aura of something almost magical about her. It's hard to say who is more enjoyable.

If I have a criticism, it's that the book ended too soon: I would have liked to see Kadambini's journey through to its conclusion.

[Mahi Aggarwal · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Schools for Bad Girls by Madhurima Vidyarthi is set to be an amazing read! If you're looking for inspiration, struggling to make decisions for yourself, or seeking to break free from narrow-minded and toxic people, then this book is for you.

I strongly recommend this empowering read , a story of compassion, bravery, rights , perfect way to end the year."

[Celinda Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amazing historical account.. but I really struggled with the writing...