Women's consciousness and assertion in colonial India : gender, social reform and politics in Maharashtra, c.1870-c.1920
This thesis explores the complexities of an emergent feminist consciousness among Maharashtrian women in the context of the socio-religious reform movements in late nineteenth century and early twentieth century India. It analyses how self- assertion was articulated through a gendered critique of Hindu religion and society. In constant interaction and at times in tension with the text-based colonial and indigenous discourses, their ideology it is argued was informed by experience. Critical of Eurocentric models of feminism, this study adopts alternative methods of reading and defining colonial women's perceptions and protests. Thus, the study takes as its starting- point the view of the Maharashtrian woman herself as she engages with the state and Indian men. In the first chapter the attempts of female converts to Christianity in negotiating with the changing world around them is studied. Christian women's pioneering welfare schemes are studied in detail showing how their feminist critiques and alternative lifestyles provided inspiration to women of their time. It is argued that their feminism was a result of their analysis of Hinduism and ultimate rejection of it. How Hindu women gained partial autonomy is
Anagol-McGinn, Padma
Feminism
Women's consciousness and assertion in colonial India : gender, social reform and politics in Maharashtra, c.1870-c.1920. This thesis explores the complexities of an emergent feminist consciousness among Maharashtrian women in the context of the socio-religious reform movements in late nineteenth century and early twentieth century India. It analyses how self- assertion was articulated through a gendered critique of Hindu religion and society. In constant interaction and at times in tension with the text-based colonial and indigenous discourses, their ideology it is argued was informed by experience. Critical of Eurocentric models of feminism, this study adopts alternative methods of reading and defining colonial women's perceptions and protests. Thus, the study takes as its starting- point the view of the Maharashtrian woman herself as she engages with the state and Indian men. In the first chapter the attempts of female converts to Christianity in negotiating with the changing world around them is studied. Christian women's pioneering welfare schemes are studied in detail showing how their feminist critiques and alternative lifestyles provided inspiration to women of their time. It is argued that their feminism was a result of their analysis of Hinduism and ultimate rejection of it. How Hindu women gained partial autonomy is
women consciousness assertion colonial india gender social_reform politics explores_complexity emergent feminist consciousness among woman context socio_religious reform_movement india analysis self assertion articulate gendered critique hindu religion_society constant interaction time tension text_based colonial indigenous discourse ideology argue informed experience critical eurocentric model feminism study_adopts alternative_method read define colonial woman perception protest thus study take starting point_view woman engage state indian men first_attempt female convert christianity negotiate change world_around study christian woman pioneer welfare scheme study_detail show feminist critique alternative lifestyle provide inspiration woman time argue feminism analysis ultimate rejection hindu woman gain partial autonomy