Question

In 19th century British took lots of measures to alleviate the position of women. Discuss.

Answer 1

Approach:

1. Give an introduction on the status of Indian women in the 19th century.
2. Mention about the regulations made by British India for the welfare of women.
3. Discuss about the role of the social reformers of that time in India.
4. Mention the impact of these reforms on Indian women.
5. Provide a befitting conclusion.

19th century Indian women:
The descrimination of women in India was practised from the period of later vedic times. The advent of British in India gave an exposure to the modern western ideas through education. The Colonial government also took several measures to remove inhuman activities against women.

Measures taken by the British in India:
The introduction of western education in India was one of the most important actions of the British which created many ripple effects in the society. Some of the important regulations made by the British are

• Abolition of the practise of Sati
• Prohibition and criminalisation of the female infanticide
• Emphasis on women education by Woods dispatch
• Widow remarriage act, 1856
• Rise of marriage age through Consent of Age act and Sharda act

Role of the Social Reformers:
A number of Indian social reformers of that period are instrumental in pressing the British to come with legislations to regulate evil practises against women. They also emphasised on the provision of education for women. The most prominent among them are

1. Raja Rammohan Roy
2. Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
3. Keshav Chandra Sen
4. Jyotirba Phule

Impact of the reforms:
The provision of education was extended to women, but it was accessible only for the higher sections of the society. It can be said that number a woman came forward to join the national freedom struggle and even headed the movement. The miserable conditions of Sati and Female infanticide was removed from the society. Later the provision of voting rights to women and number of women movements significantly brought changes to the status of women in the society.

Conclusion:
Thus the measures taken by the British helped to improve the status of women in certain sections of the society. Still the majority of the women in the lower strata of the society suffers the neglect and discrimination even to this day. The real change in the status of the woman comes not only through the legislations but needs active participation of the society. This can be ensured proper educational measures to eradicate the discrimination of women right from family.