Status and position of Women in Pre-Independence Period

Introduction

In the pre-independence period, the status of women within the country

was in a deprived state. The major cause of this was, there was

prevalence of male dominance. Due to this, the position of women was

undermined. The major responsibilities of the women were dedicated

towards the implementation of household responsibilities and they were

not allowed to participate in the implementation of other tasks and

activities, nor were they allowed to express their ideas and viewpoints. In

addition, they were overwhelmed by the practices of polygamy, sati, child

marriage, and female infanticide.

To study the position of women before the independence period, it is

necessary to discuss the position of women during the Vedic period,

Post Vedic period, Medieval period, British Period.

1. Vedic Period
2. Post Vedic Period
3. Medieval Period
4. British Period

Vedic Period

Undoubtedly, the position of women during the Vedic period was glorious

on account of freedom and equality. During this period, the women

enjoyed liberty in every 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

Upanishad, the wife has been regarded as a true companion of the

husband. The wife has been blessed to live as a queen in the husband's

house in Rigveda. This shows a high status of women. The wife has

been called the root of prosperity, enjoyment and Dharma in

Mahabharata. The man was not religiously competent to perform

religious duties without his wife. However, the system of polygamy and

dowry was only prevalent in the ruling class. There was no prohibition in

the remarriage of widows and also no discrimination between a boy and

girl.

Post Vedic Period

During the Post Vedic period, the women had suffered drastic hardships

and restrictions as propounded by Manu. He attempted to set up male

dominated society by increasing the authority of man. The birth of a girl

child was treated as a disaster for the family, Girls were denied access to

education. During this period, the pre-puberty marriage system

originated, thus the marriageable age of girls was lowered to 9 or 10

years. However, girls belonging to the ruling class were allowed to

receive education, training in military science, administration and fine

her father, as a wife of her husband, as a mother of her son. On the

other hand, Manu believed that where the women are respected, there

all deities are pleased and where they are dishonoured there all religious

activities become fruitless.

Surprisingly, in the Post Vedic period, the women's right to property was

recognised and the concept of "stridhan" prevailed.

Medieval Period

Women's position was further degraded during this period with the

invasions of Alexander and Huns. This period is predominated by the

Muslim rulers. With the advent of Muslims in India, the social movement

of Indian women was restricted. When Hindu culture came in the clash

with a culture far different from its own, the Hindu leaders of the society

began to frame rules and laws to safeguard their interest especially the

position of women. With the threats of the invading soldiers roaming

countryside, women were prohibited to attend public functions and were

placed behind the veil.

Many social evils like female infanticide, Sati, Purdah system, or zenana

(the seclusion of women), Jauhar, and child marriage were being

introduced. During this period child marriage was firmly enforced. Girls

had to get married before puberty. The age of 8 was regarded as ideal.
Early marriage was followed by early maternity, which increased

mortality amongst women. In this period, there has been a decline in the

ratio of women. Sex-selection abortion was regarded as the major factor

that has led to this decline. Avenues for their education were lost, they

were excluded from all important decision-making processes. During this

period the concept of dowry thrived. Indian women were politically,

socially, and economically inactive except for those engaged in farming

and weaving. Thus, during the medieval period the women were

oppressed in every sphere.

British Period

The British came to India in 1600 A. D. For nearly 200 years in their East

India company incarnation there were no real efforts made to address

questions of social inequality or social oppression. The need for cheap

labour and exploitation of natural resources were at the core of the

imperial economy and it did not initially touch upon the social scene.

Hence social evils such as sati, suppression of widow, denial of the right

to education for women, and child marriage flourished unchecked. At the

advent of the British rule, the position of women in India was at its lowest

ebb.

During the colonial era, many Indians acquired western education and

were introduced to the concepts of freedom, equality, and fraternity

proclaimed during the French revolution. These educated people

system. The British government took bold steps to reform the

caste-ridden Indian social order.

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

● a. Social Reforms Movement

a. Social Reforms Movement

This movement emerged during the 19th century and raised the question

of equal status of women. Social reformers showed the concern

regarding problems of sati, prohibition on re-marriage, denial of right to

property, child marriage and education to women. The reformers were of

the view that by giving women access to education and by introducing

progressive legislation social reforms in respect of women can be

achieved. Swami Vivekanand, Dayanand Saraswati and Annie Besant

were of the opinion that the old Vedic period should be revived which

was ideal for women's status. The father of the nation Mr. M.K. Gandhi

strongly criticised the system of child marriage, sati, prohibition of

widow's re-marriage and Devdasi system.

b. Nationalist Movement

The nationalist movement drew the attention of a large number of people

and generated confidence among women to raise their voice against the
oppressive system. In 1927, All India Women's Conference was formed

and it proved to be a crucial movement towards the right to equality of

women. Consequently, a number of legislations were enacted like

Widow's Remarriage Act, Child Marriage Act and Hindu Women's Right

to Property Act, which intended to eradicate certain social evils. Even

provisions of industrial laws were appropriately amended to restore the

status of women which prevailed during the Vedic period. The

establishment of creches, reduction of working hours, prohibition on

night working hours and restriction to work in mines were introduced

under 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.

Conclusion

The position of women was different in different pre-Constitution periods.

Initially, women were given respect and recognition within the society,

but within the course of time, their position suffered a degradation.

However, today, women are also contributing to the nation’s prosperity

and growth. With the help of the legal system, women have become

independent socially and politically.