Discuss the role of women in the freedom struggle especially during the Gandhian phase.
Discuss the role of women in the freedom struggle especially during the Gandhian phase.
Answer:
The history of the Indian freedom struggle is incomplete without highlighting the sacrifices of women who fought with true spirit and unwavering bravery and endured numerous types of violence, oppression and hardship.
Role of women in the freedom struggle during the pre-Gandhian phase:
Rani Chennamma of Kittur and Velu Nachiyar of Sivaganga were among the early women rulers who led a rebellion against the British even before the revolt of 1857.
During the revolt of 1857 Rani Lakshmibai, Begum Hazrat Mahal led their respective army to the battlefield against the British. In the early phase of the Nationalist movement, Annie Besant emerged as an important leader and women participated in large numbers in her Home Rule League.
The Gandhian phase:
During the Gandhian phase, women played a key role in the freedom struggle. They were the torch bearers of nationalism, communal harmony and satyagraha through Prabhat Pheris, poems and songs to mobilize people.
To begin with, women have participated in the freedom struggle since the early Gandhian phase such as Champaran satyagraha, Ahmedabad mill strike, Kheda satyagraha. Rajbansi Devi ( wife of Rajendra Prasad) and Prabhavati Devi were the main soldiers of Gandhi during Champaran satyagraha as they fought against untouchability, purdah and illiteracy. In the Ahmedabad Mill strike movement, Ansuya Ben Sarabhai stood with workers against her own brother Ambalal Sarabhai, the owner of the textile mill. During Kheda satyagraha Kasturba Gandhi, Mirabehn, Mani Ben Patel etc. were accompanied by Gandhiji and organised women's meeting, bhajan Mandal for propaganda purposes.
The women’s participation in each successive movement increased gradually. For example, during the Non-Cooperation movement, Sarojini Naidu returned her Kaiser-i-Hind gold medal. In Bengal, women organized organizations such as Nari Karma Mandir, Mahila Karma samaj to carry out the propaganda of nationalism and swadeshi.
During Gandhiji’s Dandi March, Sarojini Naidu accompanied Gandhiji in breaking the salt law. Lado Rani Zutschi, Kamla Nehru, Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay and Durgabai Deshmukh were the main women leaders active during the civil disobedience movement. Dr Muthulakshmi Reddy and Anusyaben Kale resigned from their membership of their respective provincial Legislative Councils. In the north-east Rani Gaidainliu was at the forefront to carry out the civil disobedience movement, she was arrested and put into jail at the age of 16 for her anti-British activities.
On the call for individual satyagraha in 1940 many women responded remarkably and courted arrest. Sucheta Kriplani, Bagdevi, Priyamvada Devi, Mahadevi Kejriwal participated in the individual satyagraha in Punjab, Orissa, Bengal and Bihar respectively.
The participation of women in the Quit movement was remarkable. Usha Mehta set up a radio transmitter, called the “voice of freedom” to disseminate the information about the war for freedom. In the rural areas, women came out in larger numbers along with men to fight against high taxes, land tenure issues and zamindari atrocities. Aruna Asaf Ali and Sucheta Kripalani organized an underground movement to instil nationalism and also marched against the colonial government in different parts of the country.
There were many women who didn't believe in the non-violent methods of struggle of Gandhi and joined the revolutionaries. Prominent women revolutionaries were Pritilata Waddedar, Kalpana Dutt etc .who were involved with Surya Sen in the Chittagong armoury raid. Gandhian phase freedom struggle was a movement of social awakening, women’s liberation and the establishment of a moral society in which women played a pivotal role.
Gandhi's ideas of swadeshi, a boycott of liquor, etc. ignited the fire for national and social freedom and women became committed leaders and pioneers in this movement. Such an experience created confidence and paved the way for women to demand a just and fair society in free India.
Answer:
The history of the Indian freedom struggle is incomplete without highlighting the sacrifices of women who fought with true spirit and unwavering bravery and endured numerous types of violence, oppression and hardship.
Role of women in the freedom struggle during the pre-Gandhian phase:
Rani Chennamma of Kittur and Velu Nachiyar of Sivaganga were among the early women rulers who led a rebellion against the British even before the revolt of 1857.
During the revolt of 1857 Rani Lakshmibai, Begum Hazrat Mahal led their respective army to the battlefield against the British. In the early phase of the Nationalist movement, Annie Besant emerged as an important leader and women participated in large numbers in her Home Rule League.
The Gandhian phase:
During the Gandhian phase, women played a key role in the freedom struggle. They were the torch bearers of nationalism, communal harmony and satyagraha through Prabhat Pheris, poems and songs to mobilize people.
To begin with, women have participated in the freedom struggle since the early Gandhian phase such as Champaran satyagraha, Ahmedabad mill strike, Kheda satyagraha. Rajbansi Devi ( wife of Rajendra Prasad) and Prabhavati Devi were the main soldiers of Gandhi during Champaran satyagraha as they fought against untouchability, purdah and illiteracy. In the Ahmedabad Mill strike movement, Ansuya Ben Sarabhai stood with workers against her own brother Ambalal Sarabhai, the owner of the textile mill. During Kheda satyagraha Kasturba Gandhi, Mirabehn, Mani Ben Patel etc. were accompanied by Gandhiji and organised women's meeting, bhajan Mandal for propaganda purposes.
The women’s participation in each successive movement increased gradually. For example, during the Non-Cooperation movement, Sarojini Naidu returned her Kaiser-i-Hind gold medal. In Bengal, women organized organizations such as Nari Karma Mandir, Mahila Karma samaj to carry out the propaganda of nationalism and swadeshi.
During Gandhiji’s Dandi March, Sarojini Naidu accompanied Gandhiji in breaking the salt law. Lado Rani Zutschi, Kamla Nehru, Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay and Durgabai Deshmukh were the main women leaders active during the civil disobedience movement. Dr Muthulakshmi Reddy and Anusyaben Kale resigned from their membership of their respective provincial Legislative Councils. In the north-east Rani Gaidainliu was at the forefront to carry out the civil disobedience movement, she was arrested and put into jail at the age of 16 for her anti-British activities.
On the call for individual satyagraha in 1940 many women responded remarkably and courted arrest. Sucheta Kriplani, Bagdevi, Priyamvada Devi, Mahadevi Kejriwal participated in the individual satyagraha in Punjab, Orissa, Bengal and Bihar respectively.
The participation of women in the Quit movement was remarkable. Usha Mehta set up a radio transmitter, called the “voice of freedom” to disseminate the information about the war for freedom. In the rural areas, women came out in larger numbers along with men to fight against high taxes, land tenure issues and zamindari atrocities. Aruna Asaf Ali and Sucheta Kripalani organized an underground movement to instil nationalism and also marched against the colonial government in different parts of the country.
There were many women who didn't believe in the non-violent methods of struggle of Gandhi and joined the revolutionaries. Prominent women revolutionaries were Pritilata Waddedar, Kalpana Dutt etc .who were involved with Surya Sen in the Chittagong armoury raid. Gandhian phase freedom struggle was a movement of social awakening, women’s liberation and the establishment of a moral society in which women played a pivotal role.
Gandhi's ideas of swadeshi, a boycott of liquor, etc. ignited the fire for national and social freedom and women became committed leaders and pioneers in this movement. Such an experience created confidence and paved the way for women to demand a just and fair society in free India.
