Women’s position during the British period:

Women’s position during the British period:

Notably, in the British period the position of women had undergone drastic changes mainly due to westerns impact on Indian sub-culture pattern. The concept of equality, liberty, individual secularism, although, arose but limited to ruling classes.-

Two major reforms took place during the British regime. These are:-

(1) Social reform movement

(2) Nationalists movement

(1) Social reform movement: this movement emerged during 19^th century and raised the question of equality and equal status of women. Social reformers showed the concern regarding problem of sati, prohibition on re-marriage denial of right to property, child marriage and education to women. The reformer was of the view that giving women access to education and by introducing effective legislation social reform in respect of women can be achieved. Swami Vivekananda, Dayananada Saraswati and Annie Besant were of the opinion the old Vedic period should be revived which was ideal for women’s status., the father of the nation M.K. Gandhi strongly cruised the system of child marriage, sati, prohibition of widows remarriage and Devdasi system.

(2) Nationalists movement:  the nationalist movement drew the attention of a large number of people and generated confidence among women to raise there voice against oppressive system. In 1927, all India women’s conference was held and it proved to be crucial movement onward the right of equality.

Consequently a number of legislation were enacted like widows remarriage act, child marriage act and Hindu women’s right to property act which intended to eradicate social evils, even provisions of industrial laws were appropriately amended  to restore the position of women which prevailed during the Vedic period. The establishment of crèches, reduction of work hours, prohibition on night working hours and restriction to work in mines were introduced in the banner of nationalist movement

It is submitted that during the British period public awareness was created while women’s political and social participation attained momentum.

WOMEN IN INDIAN SOCIETY

                    WOMEN IN INDIAN SOCIETY

The socialist had described the women by propounding different perception. In India, the history speaks that the women are considered as a divine force but the multi-cultured Indian society place the women in different position. Thus, there is no uniform status of women in Indian society. However, civilization showed the overall upliftment of women’s position. According to historian ROMILLA THAPER-

“Within the Indian sub-continent there have been infinite variations on the status of women diverging according to culture malice’s, family, structure, cast, class, property right and morals.”

The Indian philosophies post the women with dual character. On the one hand, she is considered fertile, patient and benevolent but on other hand, she is considered aggressor and represent ‘shakti’.

Position of women in pre-independence period

To study the position of women before the independence period, it is necessary to discuss the position of women during the Vedic periods, post Vedic period and medieval period.

1.    Vedic periods

2.    post Vedic period

3.    medieval period

1.    Vedic periods: undoubtedly, the position of women during the Vedic period was glorious on account of freedom and equality. During this period the women participated in every walk of life. Women studied in Gurukuls and enjoyed the liberty in very sphere. The great women; like Apala, Visvara, Yamini, Gargi and Ghosa stole the lime light and became front runners in society. They acquired efficiency in art, music and even warfare. In punished, the wife has been regarded as true companion of husband. The wife has been blessed to live as a queen in husband’s house in Rig-Veda. This shows the high status of women. The wife has been the root of affluence, gratification and dharma in Mahabharata the man was not religiously competent to perform religious duty without wife. There was absence of pardah system, right to select life partner. However the system of polygamy and dowry was only prevalent with the ruling classes. There was no prohibition of remarriage of widow and also no discrimination between boys and girls. As a result girls were allowed to undergo thread ceremony (upanayana Sanskar).

2.    Post Vedic Period:  During then post Vedic period, the women had suffered drastic hardships and restrictions as propounded by Manu. He attempted to set up a male dominating society by increasing the authority of man. The birth of a girl child was treated disaster for family. Girls were denied access to education. Girls were not allowed to undergo thread ceremony. During this period, pre-puberty marriage system was originated, thus marriageable age of girls were lowered to 9 or 10 years. However, girls belonging to ruling classes were allowed to receive education, training in military, science, administration and fine arts to some extent. Daughter was brought under surveillance of father, as a wife of her husband, as a mother her son. On other hand, Manu believed that where women are dishonored there religious activity becomes fruitless.

Surprisingly, in post Vedic period, the women’s right to property was recognized and the concept of “stridhan” prevailed. As Manu defined – “streedhan” means – “that which was given to her before the nuptial fire, in bridal procession, in token of love and which she had received from father, mother, brother and husband.

3.    Medieval period: the women’s position was further degraded during the medieval period with invasion of India by Alexander and Huns. Society observed security threats with invading soldiers roaming country side. Consequently women’s were placed behind the veils. W0omen were deprived of education and participation in community affair. During the medieval period the social evils such as sati, child marriage, female infanticide, mushroomed extensively. Further social course like dowry had become inevitable particularly in Rajasthan. The system of devdasi and polygamy had also spread widely in countryside. Thus during the medieval period the women were oppressed in every sphere.