India’s First Female Pilot: Sarla Thukral

India’s First Female Pilot: Sarla Thukral – A Trailblazer in the Sky

India’s journey into the skies began with a remarkable woman who defied the odds and soared above social norms—Sarla Thukral, the first Indian woman to fly an aircraft. Her pioneering spirit not only earned her a place in aviation history but also inspired generations of women to chase their dreams.

Born in 1914 in Delhi, Sarla Thukral moved to Lahore (then in British India) at a young age. At the age of 16, she married P. D. Sharma, a commercial pilot and a scion of a family with a strong aviation background. Her husband noticed her keen interest in flying and encouraged her to pursue it. At just 21 years old, in 1936, Sarla earned her aviation pilot license and became the first Indian woman to fly a plane, a Gypsy Moth aircraft, solo.

Wearing a traditional saree, she confidently took control of the aircraft and completed over 1,000 hours of flying. Her achievement was even more remarkable considering the era—when Indian women had limited access to education and few career opportunities. Her courage and ambition were a symbol of breaking barriers in a male-dominated field.

Tragedy struck when her husband died in a plane crash, but Sarla did not let grief ground her dreams. Although she was not allowed to continue commercial flying due to World War II, she redirected her talents. Sarla enrolled at the Mayo School of Arts in Lahore (now the National College of Arts, Pakistan) and became a successful painter and designer, eventually establishing her own business in textile and jewelry design.

Post-partition, she moved to India with her two daughters and continued her artistic pursuits in Delhi. Sarla Thukral remained a symbol of resilience, courage, and creativity until her death in 2008 at the age of 94.

Sarla’s story is not just about flying planes—it’s about breaking free from constraints, redefining womanhood, and daring to dream when dreams seemed impossible. Her journey carved the runway for women in aviation like Durba Banerjee, Harita Kaur Deol, and Gunjan Saxena, who followed in her flight path.

Today, Sarla Thukral stands as a proud icon of India’s aviation history, a name that reminds us how high one can fly when they refuse to be held down by the ground.

1. In which year did Sarla Thukral become the first Indian woman to fly an aircraft?
A) 1925
B) 1936
C) 1942
D) 1950
Answer:

2. What type of aircraft did Sarla Thukral fly solo?
A) Boeing 747
B) Fokker F27
C) Gypsy Moth
D) Cessna 172
Answer:

3. At what age did Sarla Thukral receive her aviation pilot license?
A) 18
B) 20
C) 21
D) 25
Answer:

4. What was Sarla Thukral’s husband’s profession?
A) Doctor
B) Commercial Pilot
C) Engineer
D) Lawyer
Answer:

5. Which city was Sarla Thukral originally from?
A) Mumbai
B) Delhi
C) Kolkata
D) Chennai
Answer:

6. After her husband’s death, which field did Sarla Thukral pursue?
A) Law
B) Medicine
C) Painting and Design
D) Teaching
Answer:

7. Which famous Indian institution did she attend for arts education?
A) J.J. School of Art
B) Mayo School of Arts (now National College of Arts)
C) Kala Bhavan
D) Banaras Hindu University
Answer:

8. In what year did Sarla Thukral pass away?
A) 1998
B) 2004
C) 2008
D) 2010
Answer:

9. What traditional Indian attire did Sarla wear while flying?
A) Salwar Kameez
B) Saree
C) Western Flying Suit
D) Lehenga
Answer:

10. Sarla Thukral’s achievements paved the way for which of the following female aviators?
A) Rakesh Sharma
B) Kalpana Chawla
C) Durba Banerjee
D) Indira Gandhi
Answer:

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