Author: Mousumi Biswas
DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.70798/Bijmrd/03100012
Abstract: The journey of Bengali women from domesticity to activism during India’s independence movement reflects one of the most significant transformations in the socio-political history of the subcontinent. Rooted in a patriarchal social structure, women’s roles were initially confined to the private sphere of family and household duties. However, the nationalist movements beginning with the Swadeshi Movement of 1905, the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–22), and the Civil Disobedience Movement (1930–34) gradually drew women into the public sphere, where they not only participated but also assumed leadership roles. Figures like Sarojini Naidu, Basanti Devi, and Bina Das redefined political activism by challenging colonial authority, leading protests, and inspiring others through their speeches and sacrifices. The 1947 Partition further highlighted women’s contributions—both explicit, such as organizing relief camps and mediating communal tensions, and hidden, through roles as couriers, shelter providers, and underground activists. Many women endured displacement, violence, and trauma, yet continued to rebuild communities in Bengal, symbolizing resilience. This transformation marked a decisive shift in gender roles, challenging the colonial as well as indigenous patriarchal frameworks. By the time of independence, Bengali women had carved a unique identity that transcended domestic boundaries, reflecting courage, sacrifice, and political consciousness. This historical trajectory demonstrates how women’s agency became a central force in the nationalist struggle, influencing postcolonial debates on gender, justice, and empowerment.
Keywords: Bengali Women, Domesticity, Political Activism, Indian National Movement, Partition of 1947, Women Freedom Fighters, Nationalist Movements, Gender Transformation, Bengal Independence.
Page No: 93-105