Question

Write a short note on the impact of the spread of print culture on women in 19th century India.

Answer 1

Instructions:
Explain the following points :

• Increase in readership of women.
• Encouragement to women’s education and a special focus on women's issues.
• Emergence of women writers and editors.

Solution:

The spread of print culture led to the progressive development of women across India in the 19th century.

• The readership of women, especially from the middle class, increased as several writings were focused on women’s lives and feelings.
• Many journals published articles written by women, emphasising the need to educate women, and also gave a syllabus and reading material that could be used for home-schooling.
• Writers like Rashsundari Debi, Rokeya Sakhawat Hossein, Kailashbashini Debi, Tarabai Shinde, and Pandita Ramabai wrote books highlighting the plight of women.
• From the early 20th century, journals dedicated to and edited by women became popular. They covered a variety of topics, such as widow remarriage, women education, and the national movement. Some of them taught women about household and fashion, while others entertained them.