The role of women in Indian National Movement.

A woman is an understatement.In our misogynist society women are traditionally

discriminated and more often than not unappreciated. Despite the fact that their role
is equally important, opinions they express are unacknowledged and rights limited.
Though our country is progressing, yet our society seldom renders opportunities to
our women to take the lead; which first they always have to fight for. patriarchy has
always hindered their progress as men are somehow agitated to let women give
equal opportunities having the pitiful perception that they are only suited for
household.
Notwithstanding the misconception that The Indian National Movement is mainly a
masculine dominated affair, the women of our country stand nowhere less than men
in contributing to their full potential in liberating India. Emerging from every domain of
the society, women have proved to be game changers in the quest for
independence. The most important aspect of this movement for independence was
that it saw mass participation by Indian women who had until then been confined to
the domestic sphere. From plotting witty schemes, planning strategies, fighting on
the battle fields like warriors , not refraining themselves to shed blood when
necessary, encouraging people to stand for themselves and fight for their soil,
helping their countrymen in every way possible; they have struggled with every fibre
of their being to fight the right to their nation. The nation owes unfathomably to these
women in the course of India's Independence and their sacrifices will always be
praised.

The history of indian freedom struggle would be incomplete without mentioning the
contributions of women. The sacrifice made by women of India will occupy the
foremost place in our lives. They fought with true spirit and undaunted courage and
faced various tortures, exploitations and hardships to earn us freedom. when most of
the men freedom fighters were in prison the women came forward and took charge
of the quest. Most evidences of the role of women in the Indian National Movement
have concentrated on the contributions made only by a handful of prominent
nationalists such as Rani of Jhansi, Sarojini Naidu, Kasturba Gandhi, Bhikaji Kama,
Vijayalakshmi Pandit, Kamla Nehru, Sucheta Kripalani and Annie Besant.The list of
great women whose names have gone down in history for their dedication and
undying devotion to the service of India is a long one. Less acknowledged but
equally forceful was the participation of the hundreds of women at the local level.
Women's participation in India's greatest battle for freedom began as early as in
1817. Their association with quest to independence took a new dimension with the
growth of politics of the GandhianCongress mass movements. The women's
participation before Gandhi was in a limited manner such as the Swadeshi
Movement in Bengal(1905-1911) and Home Rule Movement. Women participated in
the Nationalist polities despite the constrains of social practices like purdah system,
patriarchy, backwardness and low level of female literacy; they participated in the
Indian National Movement through parallel aspects, one being their attacking on the
streets without compromising on their domestic values, they handled situations in
their families when nationalism entered households through the activities of the men
in their families also they used the symbolic repertoire of the Indian National
Movement and the political language of Gandhi to facilitate their own participation.
The involvement of women in the public domain started during Non Cooperation
Movement in 1920, when Gandhi mobilised a large number of women. However their
partaking was far from active and they could only service through domestic spheres.
nevertheless the degree and intensity of this control or segregation within their
The role of women in Indian National Movement.
domesticities varied from household to communities to class to regions. Though this
domestic sphere proved detrimental to them to participate in public domain yet the
segregation helped to their contributions to organise activities in public spheres.
Women organised themselves as both imparters and recipients of national
information.
Women's public activities were more pronounced during Civil Disobedience
Movement. Kasturba Gandhi initiated women's participation in the salt satyagrah,
Sarojini Naidu led the raid on Darshana salt works, Kamla Devi led processions to
raid the Wadla salt works. Women thus ingaged actively in processions, picketing of
foreign shops and liquor shops. They have also been associated with violent
revolutionary movements and unlike the Swadeshi Movement where they only
played a domestic supportive role, now they stood shoulder to shoulder with men
with guns and shooting pistols at magistrates and governors.
Female activism in Quit India Movement was visible most significantly. The important
leaders of Congress in jail, made it contingent for them to take responsibilities of
directing and taking forward the National Movement.
India's history indicated that in our country the modern notions of gender rights
subordinated women. Despite all those social barriers women rose from their
households like phoenix rising from the ashes and took to their duties towards their
'mother-land'.

One of the forerunners of India's struggle for freedom was Rani Laskshmibai of
Jhansi, who became a legendary figure in the history of Indian nationalism.The
unrest began to spread throughout India, in 1857 the first war of independence
erupted across northern subcontinent. Jhansi became the focal point of uprising.
Rani of Jhansi began to strengthen her army which not only consisted men but also
women from every domain. This became the starting point of rebellion against the
British. It all began after the episode of use of pork/beef/cow fats being used as
cartridges for Enfield rifles, so both Hindus and muslims rebelled against the issue.
Rani of Jhansi were the sole ruler of her city and she was beautifully able to keep the
neighbouring rajas from capturing her city. In her leadership she kept peace and
calm. When British army, Rani Lakshmi bai actively defended the city, she rallied her
troops around her and fought fiercely against the British.Even after her rigorous
efforts to ave her people, the British army finally defeated Jhansi and succeeded in
the annexation of the city. During the fierce war, Lakshmibai tied her son to her back
and fought bravely using two swords.
Because of her bravery, courage and wisdom, and her progressive views on
women's empowerment, her sacrifices, she became the icon of Indian independence
movement.Her story became the epitome of strength and courage, she became the
beacon for the upcoming generations of freedom fighters.

A poet, women's rights activist and freedom fighter, Sarojini Naidu is recognised and
remembered for her multi faceted contribution to Indian society and the freedom
movement. She joined the movement in 1905 after Bengal's partition. Gandhi
inspired her to work towards the cause of freedom and social welfare, delivered
lectures on social welfare, women's empowerment and nationalism in various parts
of the country. She established women's Indian Association in 1917. She also joined
Gandhi in Satyagraha Movement amidst the growing national movement.. She was
even put behind the bars several times for her participation in Satyagraha
Movement.In 1931, she participated in the round-table conference With Mahatma
The role of women in Indian National Movement.
Gandhi and Mohan Lal Malviya. Sarojini was elected as the president of The Indian
National congress party in 1925, the first ever woman to assume that position. She
believed in the Gandhian philosophy of non-violence and was instrumental in
disseminating Gandhian principles to the rest of the world. She contributed more
towards the cause of women encouragement and social development than all the
sermons of the social workers. After India gained Independence in 1947, Sarojini
was elected as the governor of Uttar Pradesh, being the first woman to achieve that
post.
In an expression of hope and courage, she said, "Ïn the battle for liberty, fear is one
unforgivable treachery and despair, the one unforgivable sin."
she was one of the most famous freedom fighters and played a pivotal role in freeing
India from British imperialism.

Kritika Saxena
19/830
B.A hons (English) 1st year