Question

Write a note on: The role of women in Nationalist struggles.

Answer 1

Hint: The Indian freedom struggle saw the participation of a huge number of women. Without the mention of these contributions, the historical legacy of the Indian nationalist movements would remain incomplete.

Complete answer:
The huge involvement of women in India’s freedom struggle finds an important place in the history of India. When the male nationalists were arrested, it was women who came out of their domesticity and took control of the struggle. They fought fearlessly in spite of having to face severe hardships and exploitations to free India from colonial struggles. Globally also women played a crucial role in nationalist struggles. They conducted meetings, established several political organisations, published newspapers and fought in the front line.

Some famous examples were that of French Revolution where women fought shoulder to shoulder with men. Women had to fight for their suffrage rights because they were not allowed to vote and just remain as spectators. Women were not given any political rights till the end of the 19th century. In India women like Begum Hazrat Mahal, Rani Laxmi Bai of Jhansi, Rani Channama fought against the British East India Company with valour. Women like Vijay Lakshmi Pandit, Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur, Kasturba Gandhi, Kamla Neheru participated in the Non Cooperation movement launched in 1920. Sarojini Naidu led during the salt agitation and raided Dharasana Salt Works in 1930. Women like Kalpana Dutta, Preetilata Waddedar and others participated in armed revolutionary activities.

Note: In the age where women could not be imagined as stepping outside their homes, many women bravehearts took part in these activities of national struggles. Thousands of women went to jail and dedicated their life for the freedom of their own countries.