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Chandravarkar were the prominent figures of this limited perspective of changing the position of
movement. R.G. Bhandarker and N.G. women within the family and did not do much to
Chandravarkar became the vice chancellors of challenge the social structure and caste inequali-
the first Women’s University established by Karve ties which perpetuated women's lower position in
in Bombay, in 1916. In 1869, the Bombay the society. Also, these movements were inclined
Widow Reform Association was established. It to argue for women’s education so that their
arranged the first widow remarriage in 1869. efficiency as housewives and mothers. But,
gender equality was not on their agenda. These
movements viewed women’s question as a social
problem. They did not conceive a radical
onslaught on the religious orthodoxy.
REFORM MOVEMENTS SPEARHEADED
BY WOMEN
By the end of the 19th century, women from the
reformed families began to start women’s organi-
zations. One of the first women to do so is
R.G. Bhandarkar N.G. Chandravarkars Swarnakumari Devi, daughter of Devendranath
Arya Samaj Tagore and sister of Rabindranath Tagore. In
1882, she formed the Ladies Society in Calcutta
Dayanand Saraswati founded Arya Samaj in
for making widows and other poor women
1875. Unlike the above two movements, Arya
economically self-reliant. She also edited a
Samaj was a religious revivalist movement. It
women journal named ‘Bharati’ and thereby
rejected Hindu religious orthodoxy, idol worship
became the first Indian women editor. In 1882,
and the caste society. This movement highlighted
Pandita Ramabai Saraswati founded the Arya
a glorious position of women in ancient India
Mahila Samaj in Pune and Sharda Sadan in
and advocated remarriage of child widows,
Bombay.
compulsory education for men and women,
prohibition of child marriage and reforms in caste
system. However, the movement was opposed to
divorce and widow remarriage in general.
Though it called for reforms in caste system, it
never demanded its abolition. It also advocated
for separate school for girls and boys. It estab-
lished Arya Kanya Pathashalas and contributed
to women’s education. The movement has its
influence mainly in urban areas and also
extended to semi-urban and rural areas. Pandita Saraswati
Shortcomings of the Above Movements Many women’s organisations were formed in the
All of the above mentioned movements had their early 20th century and were closely linked with
influence limited to urban middle class and did both social reform movements and nationalist
not have significant influence in rural areas. movements. Many women who were active in
Moreover, most of these movements had a very freedom struggle founded women’s organisations
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