Ghandian Phase: Mahila-Samitis and the Role of Women in the Indian National Movement

Abstract

If the contribution of women to the Indian National Movement is not acknowledged, the struggle will lose its significance. The sacrifices made by the women of the Indian national movement take precedence. The story of sacrifice, selflessness, and bravery of women abounds in the era of freedom struggle. Many of us had no idea that hundreds of women fought alongside their male comrades in the Second World War. With unflinching bravery and passion, they battled until the end. Indian women broke free from a variety of social constraints and distanced themselves from the traditional roles and responsibilities associated with the home. Consequently, the role that women played in the American Revolution and in the awaking of the country was amazing and inspirational. Nevertheless, in communities where males are the majority, women sometimes find it difficult to engage in combat as warriors. Despite the fact that there were efforts made by women to change the perceptions of more traditional people who held the view that women were only meant to do housework, these people continued to hold this view. In addition, women not only sacrifice their lives but also engage in the struggle against these problems. The purpose of this study is to investigate women's mobilisation during the Ghandian Phase, as well as the significance of Mahila-Samities and their role in the Indian National Movement.

Full text

Journal of Women Empowerment and Studies
ISSN: 2799-1253
Vol. 02, No. 01, Dec 2021 - Jan 2022
http://journal.hmjournals.com/index.php/JWES
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55529/jwes.21.26.29.
Copyright The Author(s) 2022.This is an Open Access Article distributed under the CC BY
license. (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) 26
Ghandian Phase: Mahila-Samitis and the Role of
Women in the Indian National Movement
Rashid Manzoor Bhat
Research Scholar, Department of History, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, Tamil
Nadu, India.
Email: rsdbhat@gmail.com
Received: 15 September 2021 Accepted: 20 December 2021 Published: 31 January 2022
Abstract: If the contribution of women to the Indian National Movement is not
acknowledged, the struggle will lose its significance. The sacrifices made by the women of
the Indian national movement take precedence. The story of sacrifice, selflessness, and
bravery of women abounds in the era of freedom struggle. Many of us had no idea that
hundreds of women fought alongside their male comrades in the Second World War. With
unflinching bravery and passion, they battled until the end. Indian women broke free from
a variety of social constraints and distanced themselves from the traditional roles and
responsibilities associated with the home. Consequently, the role that women played in the
American Revolution and in the awaking of the country was amazing and inspirational.
Nevertheless, in communities where males are the majority, women sometimes find it
difficult to engage in combat as warriors. Despite the fact that there were efforts made by
women to change the perceptions of more traditional people who held the view that women
were only meant to do housework, these people continued to hold this view. In addition,
women not only sacrifice their lives but also engage in the struggle against these problems.
The purpose of this study is to investigate women's mobilisation during the Ghandian
Phase, as well as the significance of Mahila-Samities and their role in the Indian National
Movement.
Keywords: Indian, Women, Freedom Movement, Role, Society.
1. INTRODUCTION:
Prior to the country's independence, women's rights were severely restricted. Male dominance
was the primary cause of this. Wives could not participate in any other activities or express
their opinions, and they were not allowed to participate in any other tasks or activities.
Several systems were put in place at this time that were harmful to women. The purdah
system, sati, polygamy, widow remarriage restrictions, female infanticide, female feticide,
and restrictions on widow remarriage are just a few examples. Social reformers like Raja
Ram Mohan Rai, Jyotiba Phule, and Ishwar Chander Vidya Sagar encountered various
obstacles while attempting to improve the position of women in Indian society during the
East India Company era. During this time period, a large number of female martial artists

Journal of Women Empowerment and Studies
ISSN: 2799-1253
Vol. 02, No. 01, Dec 2021 - Jan 2022
http://journal.hmjournals.com/index.php/JWES
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55529/jwes.21.26.29.
Copyright The Author(s) 2022.This is an Open Access Article distributed under the CC BY
license. (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) 27
were trained. He fought for India's independence, Rani Laxmi Bhai.1 Among the first women
who fought for India's independence was Bhima Bai Holkar. Madam Bhikaji Cama, the first
Indian woman socialist, fought for her country's independence following the uprising of
1857. In India's anti-imperialist struggle, women play an important role.
Objectives
The objective of this study is to explore the Mobilization of Women and their position in
Gandhian phase.
2. METHODOLOGY
“This study is a type of archival or primary research which involves diverse evidence from
Indian archival records. It has been hunted through the 35 of documents relevant to the types
of revolution and role of women in the different periods of history. This study lies at the heart
of academic and other forms of original historical studies. It also focused on the different
types of revolutionary activities in the analytical point of view. Accordingly, the data are of
library type and the method is analytical”.
SOME IMPORTANT WOMEN LEADERS OF THE NATIONAL MOVEMENT
There is no getting around the undeniable fact that women played a significant part in the
resistance movement that took place in India. The following is a list of some of the most
influential female leaders in our country, all of whom have made significant contributions to
our national movement.2 “At the national level, we may start with Sarojini Naidu, Rani
Laxmi Bai, Vijayalakshmi Pandit, Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay, and Mridula Sarabhai. We
may then go on to leaders at the provincial level, such as Annie Mascarene and A.V.3
Kuttimaluamma in Kerala, or Durgabai Deshmukh in the Madras Presidency, for example.”4
In point of fact, the characteristics of our nationalist movement make it extremely
challenging to differentiate between leaders who represent specific regions and those who
represent all of India. A great number of women started their careers in politics at the local
level, and then worked their way up to the nationalist centre stage.5 Irish women like as
Annie Besant and Margaret Cousins, in addition to these Indian women, shared their own
stories of British exploitation in Ireland to help inform the conversation about Indian
women's rights. They did this in an effort to help improve conditions there.
Mahila-samitis (Women’s Association):
Several municipal and town-based women's organisations arose in the early twentieth
century:
• The nieces of Rabindranath Tagore and Sarla Devi founded women's associations such
as the Mahila Shilpa Samiti and the Lakshmir Bhandar in response to the Swedeshi
agitation. In the year 1907, a women's organisation known as the Hitashini Sabha put on
an exhibition of Swadeshi goods.7
• Kamaladevi Chattopadhyaya's autobiography, "Inner recesses, outside expanses," relates
how her mother Girijabai formed a mahila sabha in Mangalore about 1911.
Mahalakshmi was meant to bring women together in order to talk and find answers to
their problems.8
• In addition, during this time period, Rameshwari Nehru established a publication for

Journal of Women Empowerment and Studies
ISSN: 2799-1253
Vol. 02, No. 01, Dec 2021 - Jan 2022
http://journal.hmjournals.com/index.php/JWES
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55529/jwes.21.26.29.
Copyright The Author(s) 2022.This is an Open Access Article distributed under the CC BY
license. (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) 28
women called The Stree Darpan, which attained a great deal of notoriety. It featured a
unique combination of political coverage of local, state, national, and even international
issues.
• Additionally gaining a significant amount of readership at the time was content that was
published in women's journals such as Bharat Mahila.9
• Jyoti Sangh, women conference (AIWC), a renowned Gujarati women's organisation,
was also founded in 1927.10
Mobilization of Women in Gandhian phase:
Without a doubt, Gandhi was the most genuine and revered figure to ever represent India's
intellectual tradition and rich cultural heritage. He is revered and referred to as the Mahatma
by his followers. He was someone who sought the truth, worked to improve society, was an
economist, and a political philosopher. Because of him, the Indian National Congress
transformed into a congress of the people, and the national movement evolved into a
movement of the masses. He gave people the confidence to stand up against injustice
without resorting to violence, and he taught them how to do so. Because he was the sole
leader of the independence movement in India, Mahatma Gandhi is generally regarded as
having made the most significant contribution to the Indian freedom struggle.11 Techniques
of nonviolence and nonviolence advocated by Gandhi served as the cornerstone of the
freedom movement's fight against the British. The Indian independence movement reached
its zenith between the years 1918 and 1922, when it reached its highest point. Campaigns of
nonviolent civil disobedience were initiated by the Indian National Congress (INC), which
was led by Gandhi. The primary objective was to weaken the authority of the British
government through the refusal to cooperate. According to Gandhi, complete independence
for India will not be possible until our daughters recognise their own power and join our
sons in the struggle for independence. This means that our daughters must fight alongside
our sons in the struggle for independence.
Women under Gandhian leadership:
Gandhi had given women the ability to make their own decisions and inspired them through
his fight against caste, discrimination, and child marriages as well as his promotion of
women's education. All of the female participants are enthused and motivated by them.
Many women, particularly those from the upper and middle classes, have been involved in
the non-cooperation movement. Muthul Laxmi Reddy and Amrit Kaur emerged as the most
important leaders. Dharsana Salt factory owner Sarojini Naidu, who was motivated by
Gandhian ideas, organised a nonviolent protest against a legislation and tax on salt during
the era of civil disobedience movement. This protest took place even after Gandhi was
arrested. She fought for the right to vote, and ultimately became the first Indian woman to
be elected president of the Indian National Congress. Underground activism during the Quit
India movement, led by people like Usha Mehta and Aruna Asaf Ali, played an important
role in keeping the movement alive.
In the year 1920, women make up the majority of political participants. In the course of this
time period, a significant number of women came forward.
Women in India have joined together to realise the possibilities of collective action and have
built the framework for women's empowerment in the independent nation of India by
fighting socioeconomic injustice.

Journal of Women Empowerment and Studies
ISSN: 2799-1253
Vol. 02, No. 01, Dec 2021 - Jan 2022
http://journal.hmjournals.com/index.php/JWES
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55529/jwes.21.26.29.
Copyright The Author(s) 2022.This is an Open Access Article distributed under the CC BY
license. (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) 29
3. CONCLUSION
Women in India who took part in the country's independence movement often found
themselves on the run, in jail, or elected to positions of power as a result of their actions.
After a protracted period of struggle, India attained its independence on August 15, 1947. The
attainment of independence for their homeland required the sacrifice of the lives of thousands
of Indian women. Women played an integral part not only in the nonviolent movement that
led to India's independence but also in the success of that movement, which was dependent
on their active participation. A people armed only with peace, ideals, and bravery had battled
and conquered the might of a vast global empire where the sun never set. This may have been
the first and only time this has ever happened in the history of the world. In conclusion, we
can state that the women's movement has evolved and matured in its interaction with other
movements such as labour unions, environmental organisations, and other progressive groups
that combat oppression, injustice, and degradation throughout the previous half-century.
Specifically, we can say that this relationship has deepened.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This research article would not have been possible without the help and support of each and
every one of my fellow researchers. All the researchers who worked tirelessly to prepare the
material related to the article and collaborated with me to develop a strategy for
effectively monitoring my work, sincerely deserve my gratefulness for their efforts. I want to
express my gratitude to each one of you.
4. REFERENCES
1. Chand, Tara; History of freedom Movement in India, Vol IV, Publication Division,
Govt. of India, Delhi, 1961.
2. Aggarwal, M.G; Freedom fighter of India, Vol IV, Gyan Publishing House, 2008.
3. Thaper, Suruchi; Women in the Indian National movement: Unseen faces and
unheard voices (1930-32), Publication Pvt. Ltd., 2006
4. Ralhan, O.P; Indian women through ages 5th Vol. Eminent Indian women in
politics, Anmol publications, New Delhi, 1995.Brown, Judith; Gandhi and the civil
disobedience movement, Cambridge University press, 1972.
5. Kaur, Manmohan; Women’s in India freedom struggle, Sterling publishers, New Delhi,
1985.
6. Chopra, P.N; Women in India freedom struggle, Published by Ministry of education
and social welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, 1975. Chib, S.S; New Perspective on
India’s freedom struggle, VandeMatram Prakashan, Chandigarh, 1987. Aggarwal,
R.C; Constitutional Development and National Movement of India, S.Chand
Publishing limited, New Delhi, 1999.
7. Raju, Rajendra; Role of women in India’s freedom struggle, South Asia Books, 1994.
8. Mody, Nawaz; Women in India’s freedom struggle; Allied Publishers, 2000.