Role of women in India Freedom Struggle-

Role of women in India Freedom Struggle-

A very crucial subject also we can say a limited topic to talk about, limited why so? because we have seen the struggle of very few women who participated in the Indian Freedom struggle. We must say that they all fought courageously and today they are an inspiration for all.

In India, women are seen as a form of Durga. Durga , identified a principal and popular form of the Hindu Goddess Parvati. The supreme divine mother Durga is Direct Adi Paramshakti. 

So, let's see how they become an important part of the Indian Freedom Struggle. 

Before, British conquest women battled for their kingdom and legacy. Earlier queens like Ghaseti Begum, Tarabai, Maharani Jindan who raised their voices and fought back in the earlier part of the 18th century. 

Later during the Revolt of 1857 queens like Begum Hazrat Mahal and Rani Laxmibai, who battled valiantly for protecting their states and we can say for the first time for India's independence. 

During this phase women were not treated equally as men, they were less valued than men. women were not allowed to do anything other than household work, they were not respected socially

Thereafter in the 19th and 20th century part, we saw significant roles of women in various areas. We had also noticed that Women became a center of discussion, every social reformer was more focused on gender equality and women's right now because everyone understood the actual condition of women. And there was a spark seen among the people and they went against the society for women's right and respect.

Social reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Dayanand Sarasvati, Keshub Chandra Sen, Savitri Bai Phule, Pandita Ramabai - who worked for women's upliftment, education, abolishing sati ( a cruel practice by our society in earlier part), etc.

Subsequently, We saw women being politically active taking part in activities as follow-

• Women's contributio in the legislative assembly, 15 women members, and Rajkumari Amrita Kaur was also part of the cabinet.

• In 1883 Bengali women wrote to the viceroy in favor of the Ilbert Bill. ( A bill related to Judicial reform to include Indian member)
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• In 1889, 10 women participated in congress sessions.
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• In 1890, Sawarna Kumari & Kadambini, the first female doctor ( Wife of Dwarakanath Ganguly), attended as delegates in congress sessions.

Now, let's see the individual contribution of wonder women -

Nandita Devi who joined the Yuganter group and helped them. Annie Basant, a lady who came from abroad but contributed her life to India. The home rule movement led by her in India and left a great impact on the masses. Bhikaji Cama, secretary of dadabhai navroji,She made an Indian home rule society in Paris and also published two newspapers Vande Mataram and Talwar.

After the entry of Gandhi, we can see an increase in the participation of women because Gandhi's way of protest was non-violent which encouraged women to participate and contribute to their nation.

Ansuyaben Sarabai who played a part in Ahmedabad satyagraha.

Sarojini Naidu, Nightingale of India became the first Indian president who also took part in Darashna salt satyagraha in 1925.

 Suchita Kriplani established a women wing in the congress party in 1940. 

Anina Asif Ali, was a political activist who hoisted the flag at the Gowalia Tank meeting. 

Usha Mehta, who managed the congress radio. 

We had also seen the role of the women Battalion named after Rani Laxmi bai in the INA lead bg Laxmi Sehgal.

Dugradevi, Kalpana Dutta, Prililata Wadeygar, Shanti Ghose, Sunita Choudary, these ladies were also involved in revolutionary activities.

Women like Nellie Sengupta, Miraben (madeleine from Britain) from foreign origin played an important role too.

Although we know about fewer numbers of women in the Indian freedom struggle, all these ladies have a significant impact on Indian masses. They not only came out and fought but influenced others and forced them to come out of  and fight for their nation.

India women have set an example of Patriotism,Valour and Pride.

Jai Hind