The Status of Women in 18th Century India
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Questions and Answers

What does Jawaharlal Nehru imply about the role of women in societal progress?

He implies that the awakening of women is crucial for the progress of the family, village, and nation.

What were the societal beliefs regarding women's education in the 18th century India?

Women were discouraged from education due to beliefs that it would make them unwilling to fulfill household duties.

What practices against women in the 18th century deeply troubled liberal thinkers in India?

Practices such as child marriage, denial of inheritance, and restrictions on widow remarriage were particularly disturbing.

How were decisions in a woman's life typically made in 18th century India?

<p>Major decisions in a woman's life were made by her father, husband, or son, reflecting a lack of autonomy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What age were girls often married off in 18th century India?

<p>Girls were often married off as young as 5 or 6 years old.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the status of widows in 18th century Indian society?

<p>Widows were often not allowed to remarry and faced social stigma, including having their heads shaved.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What impact does an educated woman, particularly a mother, have on society?

<p>An educated woman can have a powerful influence on the progress and development of society.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what ways can societies improve their status by uplifting women?

<p>Societies can progress by enabling women's education, rights, and participation in decision-making.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What were the conditions imposed on widows in society during the time described?

<p>Widows were forced to wear only white clothes and eat bland vegetarian food, treated as outcastes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the practice of sati and why did some women choose it?

<p>Sati was the burning alive of women on their husbands' funeral pyres; some women chose it believing it was their only path to salvation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did Kadambini Ganguly and Anandi Gopal Joshi contribute to women's rights?

<p>They became the first two Indian women to graduate as doctors in Western medicine, challenging societal norms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was Raja Rammohun Roy's reaction to the practice of sati?

<p>Roy was shocked after witnessing a forced sati in his family and began a persistent struggle against social evils.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What organization did Raja Rammohun Roy found and what was its primary focus?

<p>Raja Rammohun Roy founded the Brahmo Samaj, focusing on preaching monotheism and improving women's positions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role did education play in the social reform movement for women in 19th century India?

<p>Education was viewed as the first step towards women's emancipation, helping them become aware of their rights.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did Raja Rammohun Roy influence the British government regarding sati?

<p>He persuaded the British government to abolish sati, a decision implemented by Lord Bentinck.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What were the consequences of female infanticide as described in the text?

<p>The birth of a girl child was seen as a curse, leading to neglect or deliberate killing of many female infants.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant educational institution was renamed in 1855 and opened to all communities?

<p>The Hindu College was renamed the Presidency College.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What movement did Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar start that led to a significant legislative act in 1856?

<p>He started a movement in favor of widow remarriage, leading to the Widow Remarriage Act of 1856.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Identify one major contribution of Swami Dayanand Saraswati to social reform.

<p>He condemned sati and supported widow remarriage.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the main goal of the Arya Samaj founded by Swami Dayanand Saraswati?

<p>The Arya Samaj aimed at reviving society along Vedic lines.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did Sir Syed Ahmad Khan contribute to women's liberation?

<p>He was a great supporter of women's liberation and opposed the purdah system.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was one outcome of the efforts of social reformers in India after the Revolt of 1857?

<p>Indian society began to change, leading to the introduction of laws like the Sharda Act in 1929.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which region in India was the first to experience the stir for social reforms?

<p>Bengal, particularly Calcutta, was the first to experience social reforms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar do to promote education for girls?

<p>He opened several schools for girls and ran some at his own expense.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What movement did Henry Vivian Derozio start and what ideals did it promote?

<p>Derozio started the Young Bengal Movement, promoting the ideals of 'liberty, equality, and fraternity'.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What were the main social issues that the Prarthana Samaj addressed?

<p>The Prarthana Samaj fought against child marriage and advocated for widow remarriage and women's education.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What contributions did Mahadev Govind Ranade make to social reform?

<p>Ranade founded the Widow Remarriage Association and the Deccan Educational Society.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who was Savitribai Phule and what was her significance in women's education?

<p>Savitribai Phule was one of the first women teachers in India who opened several schools for girls.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the freedom struggle impact women's education and empowerment in India?

<p>The freedom struggle acted as a catalyst, leading to increased women's education and empowerment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role did Pandita Ramabai play in challenging orthodox Hindu beliefs?

<p>Pandita Ramabai was one of the first women to master the Vedas and used her knowledge to challenge orthodoxy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What milestone was achieved in India regarding women's voting rights post-independence?

<p>India was one of the first countries to grant women the right to vote after independence.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what ways has the Indian Constitution contributed to women's rights?

<p>The Indian Constitution ensures equality for women in every field.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Status of Women in 18th Century India

  • Women were not treated with respect, and seen as incapable of independent thought.
  • Major life decisions were made by fathers, husbands, and sons.
  • Limited access to education discouraged women from attending schools and colleges.
  • Child marriage was common, with girls married as young as 5 or 6.
  • Widows were forbidden from remarrying, forced to wear white clothes and eat bland food, often ostracized and sent to temple cities to fend for themselves.
  • Sati, the burning alive of women on their husbands' funeral pyres, was prevalent.
  • Female infanticide was common, with girls seen as a curse.

Notable Women of the 18th Century

  • Kadambini Ganguly and Anandi Gopal Joshi became the first Indian women to graduate as doctors in Western medicine.

Social Reformers of the 19th Century

  • Social reformers recognized the importance of education for women's emancipation and societal progress. They believed educated women could become aware of their rights, influence social legislation, and contribute to societal development.

Raja Rammohun Roy

  • Born in 1772, he witnessed a forced sati and became a vocal critic of social evils.
  • Founded the Atmiya Sabha and Brahmo Samaj, advocating for monotheism, improving women's status, and removing superstitious practices.
  • Persuaded the British government to abolish Sati.
  • Encouraged the study of English and championed Western education.
  • Instrumental in establishing Hindu College in Calcutta, later renamed Presidency College.

Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar

  • A Sanskrit scholar and principal of Sanskrit College in Calcutta.
  • Devoted his life to uplifting women and the underprivileged.
  • Led a movement for widow remarriage and was instrumental in passing the Widow Remarriage Act of 1856.
  • Established girls’ schools and ran some at his own expense.
  • Co-founded Bethune School and Bethune College with John Bethune.

Swami Dayanand Saraswati and the Arya Samaj

  • Born in 1824, he was a strong critic of idol worship.
  • Condemned sati, advocated for widow remarriage, opposed child marriage, and spoke out against caste differences and untouchability.
  • Founded the Arya Samaj in 1875 to revive Vedic principles in society.
  • Emphasized the Vedas as the essence of life and knowledge.
  • His followers started Dayanand Anglo-Vedic (DAV) schools and colleges to promote scientific and spiritual education.

Sir Syed Ahmad Khan

  • A supporter of women’s liberation and opposed the purdah system.

Impact of Social Reformers

  • Social reformers initiated changes, but limited British interest in social progress after the Revolt of 1857 hampered progress.
  • Some laws were passed like the Sharda Act (Child Marriage Restraint Act) in 1929, but lacked proper enforcement.

Case Study: Reforms in Bengal and Maharashtra

Bengal

  • Bengal became a hub for social reform due to Calcutta being the capital of the British Raj, and its exposure to Western ideas.
  • Raja Rammohun Roy and Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar were key figures.
  • The Brahmo Samaj continued their work under Debendranath Tagore and Keshab Chandra Sen.
  • The Young Bengal Movement, led by Henry Vivian Derozio, championed liberty, equality, and fraternity, fighting against superstition and orthodoxy.

Maharashtra

  • Bombay emerged as another center of social reform.
  • The Prarthana Samaj was founded in 1867, combating child marriage, advocating for widow remarriage, and promoting women’s education.
  • Prominent figures include Atmaram Pandurang, R G Bhandarkar, and Mahadev Govind Ranade.
  • Ranade established the Widow Remarriage Association and the Deccan Educational Society.
  • Dadabhai Naoroji championed women’s legal rights, including property inheritance.
  • Mahatma Jotirao Phule and Gopal Lokahitwadi focused on women’s empowerment, with Savitribai Phule, Jotirao Phule’s wife, becoming one of India’s first women teachers.

Post-Independence Era

  • The freedom movement accelerated women’s emancipation.
  • Sarojini Naidu, Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, and Annie Besant played vital roles, demonstrating women’s leadership in the struggle for independence.
  • Pandita Ramabai mastered the Vedas, using knowledge to challenge orthodox beliefs.
  • India became one of the first countries to grant women the right to vote after gaining independence.
  • The Constitution ensured equality for women in all fields.
  • Significant progress has occurred, with more girls attending school and joining the workforce, but much remains to be done.

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Description

This quiz explores the challenges faced by women in 18th century India, including societal norms, lack of education, and cultural practices like child marriage and sati. It also highlights the contributions of notable women and social reformers advocating for women's rights and education in the following century.

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