QUES . Defying the barriers of age, gender and religion, the Indian women became the torch bearer’s during the struggle for freedom in India. Discuss. UPSC 2013 G S MAINS PAPER 1
HINTS:
In the nineteenth century, the nationalist movement was dominated by men. Conditions in India were such that Indian women had been confined to domestic space. Even women’s issues were put forward by men like Raja Rammohan Roy and Keshub Chandra Sen.
However, the freedom struggle created opportunities for women from different backgrounds to come out in the public sphere and participate on equal terms with the men. There were women like Pandita Ramabai, Sister Subbalakshmi and Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain who took up leading roles in this period. These were educated women of middle or elite class background.
The most famous name from this period is of Rani Lakshmi Bai, who took up arms against the British defying many stereotypes. She protested against the `Doctrine of Lapse’. She refused to surrender Jhansi and fought bravely in the male attire during the revolt of 1857, and died in the battle field fighting against the British forces.
A large scale participation of women in the freedom struggle started with the advent of Gandhiji. The Non-Cooperation Movement saw women’s participation from all the classes. The floodgates were really opened during the Civil Disobedience Movement when women participated in the illegal manufacturing of salt, picketing foreign cloth and liquor shops and took part in processions.
In the leading roles, there were women like Sarojini Naidu, Madam Bhikaji Cama, and Aruna Asaf Ali. Preetilata Waddedar and her comrades were even involved in the Chittagong armoury raid of Surya Sen. Rani Gaidinliu participated in the revolt against the British in Manipur and was jailed at the age of 16.
The Quit India Movement provided the best opportunity for the participation of women. Since most of the male leaders were jailed at this time. Usha Mehta, Begum Safia Abdul Wajid, Rehana Tyabjee were some of the women who participated in this movement. The Tebhaga struggle saw the participation of tribal and dalit women.
The INA had a women’s regiment named Rani of Jhansi regiment which was led by Capt. Lakshmi Sehgal.
However, it is reasonable to argue that women’s issue continued to be secondary to the national liberation struggle. The social condition of women witnessed only a partial improvement, despite their large scale participation in the freedom struggle.
Must read: Many voices had strengthened and enriched the nationalist movement during the Gandhian phase
External link: https://magazines.odisha.gov.in/Orissareview/2010/August/engpdf/74-76.pdf
