Role of women in India’s freedom movement
Answers
India’s freedom movement has a great span starting before 1817 and culminating in 1947. The saga of the spirit of freedom in women and their longing for recognition went side by side with the struggle for the freedom of India.
For them the freedom movement was not just some protests or demonstrations in the public. It was also not just political freedom but the emancipation of women from age old subservience. The women could clearly see their rightful place in the society and they encouraged the members of the household to actively participate in the movement.
In the conservative Indian society, the women were never allowed to come out in public. However, because of the inspiration generated by the spirit for freedom in the entire society, the women actively participated along with the men. In the process, the undercurrent of freedom of women in India went simultaneously with the movement for independent India.
During this struggle many women leaders rose up to the forefront. To name a few are Queen Lakshmibai, Sarojini Naidu, Dr.Mrs. Annie Besant, who rose up in the political field. There were innumerable others who propagated the idea of freedom through the expression of their music and songs.
It is very pertinent to mention about Mrs. Indira Gandhi, the former Prime Minister of independent India, who became one of the world famous leaders of India. She grew up in the midst of all the actions taking place right before her as her father, Jawaharlal Nehru and grandfather, Motilal Nehru were all the front rank freedom movement leaders. The interaction with Mahatma Gandhi, the father of freedom movement, very often through her father and other leaders inspired her. No doubt, she became one of the strongest leaders of independent India.
The saying ‘Behind every successful man stands a woman’ applies to the Indian struggle for freedom too. Each patriot who became part of the movement owes something to a woman, be it his mother, his wife or his sister. While there are numerous unsung women who played an active role in the campaign, there are a few names that found their way into history, like Rani Lakshmi Bai, Sarojini Naidu, Kasturba Gandhi, Annie Besant, and Vijay Lakshmi Pandit.
Though pre-independence India was largely conservative in its attitude towards women, there are accounts of uneducated women participating in the freedom struggle with as much fervour as men. In Bengal, they took it upon themselves to go from door to door distributing pamphlets encouraging people to join the Swadeshi movement. Also, women donated their ornaments to raise funds for the impoverished Indians. Many tried to persuade the rich Indians to refrain from buying imported goods, while scores of others knowingly broke the law and carried salt home, as part of the Salt Satyagraha.
While Rani Lakshi Bai showed extreme courage by fighting the British on the battlefield, the future generations fought at a different level. Sarojini Naidu used her powerful expression as a medium to reach the people. She travelled widely, spreading awareness among women and coaxing them to join the freedom movement. Her political involvement was such that she was present at the Round Table Conference, alongside Gandhi. Her poems continue to be read and appreciated for the spirit of nationalism that they embody.
Kasturba Gandhi, the wife of Gandhi, supported each of her husband’s initiatives. She led the Women’s Satyagraha and even shouldered her husband’s responsibilities when he was placed under arrest, besides spreading awareness amongst women regarding cleanliness and hygiene. She herself was arrested on a couple of occasions, but did not give up her fight for civil rights.
Despite being an Irish national, Annie Besant is fondly remembered for her contribution towards the freedom struggle. She was a staunch supporter of Tilak’s ‘self rule’ philosophy and played an important role in setting up the Home Rule League in various places. Through her writings and speeches, she encouraged the Indians to wake up to their responsibility and support the fight for freedom.
Vijay Lakshmi Pundit, the well educated sister of Jawahar Lal Nehru, presented India’s plight at the international level. She attended numerous conferences and tabled her thoughts emphatically. She also participated in the Quit India Movement. Her reputation was such that she was made the first woman president of the United Nations Assembly, though it was much after India won its independence.
The Indian Freedom Movement saw people from all walks of life coming together, irrespective of religion, gender and affluence. Thus, women were an integral part of the mass movement.
