Despite the prevailing norms that sought to confine them, women in Rajasthan emerged as catalysts of change, challenging conventions and actively participating in the struggle for independence.
Role →
1. Joined prajamandal movement , picketing , promotion of khadi etc
2. Went to jail during Gandhian movement like Civil Disobedience and quit india
3. Protested against the prevailing restrictive custom on women like Parda pratha
4. Social reform work among womens
Prominent Women Freedom fighters
1. Vijaya Ben Bhavsar from Banswara presented an example by supporting intercaste and widow remarriage. She formed the “Mahila Mandal” under the Banswara Prajamandal and defied Section 144 during the ” Anaj Movement” along with thousands of women.
2. Janki Devi Bajaj: the wife of Jamna Lal Bajaj, activel y participated in Satyagraha against prevailing social restrictions .She was elected as the president in the session of Jaipur Prajamandal in 1944.
3. Anjana Devi Chaudhary ( Sikar) :
● wife of Ramnarayan Chaudhary, abandoned the “Parda” custom and actively participated in the freedom movement.
● worked among women in Mewar and Bundi for social reform and political awakening.
● Supported her husband in various constructive initiatives, including improving the status of Dalits.
● She holds the distinction of being the first woman to be arrested in Rajasthan .
4. Ratan shashtri (Jaipur ): Wife of Hira lal shashtri. Participated in th e Satyagraha movement of Jaipur Prajamandal in 1939 and assisted underground workers during the Quit India movement.
5. Rama Devi (Jaipur) : Worked with her husband i n Rajasthan Sewa Sangh. She visited bijoliya during Bijoliya peasant Movement. She was also active in Satyagraha and Civil Disobedience movement.
6. Kali Bai : A 13-year-old girl from Rastapal (Dungarpur) attempted to free her teacher, Sainga Bhai, from state officers who were transporting him tied to a truck. Sadly, she was killed in the firing in 1947
7. Kishori Devi: Protested against the jagir pratha with her husband Harlal Singh in Shekhawati. She organized a significant women’s conference in 1934 at Katrathal against the mistreatment of women.
8. Other → Narayani Devi Verma (Mewar Prajamandal), Mani bahan Pandya (Vagad Ba), Shrimati Indumati Goenka, Durgavati Devi sharma (Shekhawati), Nagendra Bala (kota), Shrimati Satyabhama (Bundi) etc
In conclusion, their involvement in movements like Prajamandal, not only challenged colonial rule but also shattered the shackles of feudal and medieval mindsets that confined them to household roles.
In the early 20th century, a robust opposition emerged from all sections of society against the feudal system. Several factors played a pivotal role in heightening political consciousness:
- Tribal and Peasant Movement:
- Motilal Tejawat’s EKI movement opposed the Begar system and state atrocities. Govind Guru’s SAMP Sabha and BHAGAT movement raised social and political consciousness among Bhils.
- Peasant Movements like Bijoliya Kisan, Bengu, Barad (Bundi), and Shekhawati etc awakened peasants against various Lag Bag.
- Dalit Agitation : Dalits in Ajmer-Merwara , Bairwa in Uniara raised voice against prevalent inequality in society
- Role of Arya Samaj : Dayanand Saraswati emphasized Swa Dharma, Swaraj, and Swadeshi. Arya Samaj, under his guidance, played a crucial role in expanding education and fostering political awareness. Ground-level efforts were undertaken by Harvilas Sharda in Ajmer and Master Adityendra in Bharatpur.
- Contribution of Newspapers : ‘Rajasthan Kesari’ by Pathik, ‘Tarun Rajasthan’ of Rajasthan Sewa Sangh, ‘Rajasthan’ by Rishidutt Mehta, ‘Tyag Bhumi’ by Haribhau Uppadhyay, etc., highlighted the issues of Rajputana on the national front.
- The Role of rulers: Mewar Maharana Fateh Singh, Alwar Maharaja Jai Singh, and Bharatpur Maharaja Krishan Singh held progressive nationalist ideologies and harbored a strong dislike for British interference in internal matters
- Role of Trading Class : Khubram Saraf and Satynarayan Saraf in Bikaner, Anand Raj Surana, Chandmal Surana, Bhawarlal Saraf in Jodhpur, Tikaram Paliwal in Jaipur, etc., volunteered their money for political awakening and the promotion of Hindi.
- Use of Khadi : Gandhi Ji’s promotion of khadi became both a symbol of resistance and a source of income for the poor.
- Role of Women: Prakashwati Sinha, Anjana Devi, Ratan Shastri, etc., raised awareness among women about their rights and their potential to equally participate in the freedom struggle.
- Role of Revolutionaries : Although the Gandhian method was more popular in Rajputana, revolutionaries like Vijay Singh Pathik, Arjun Lal Sethi, Keshri Singh Barahat, Pratap Singh Barasat, and Rao Gopal Singh Kharwa raised their voices against the indifferent feudal system and exploitative British policies.
- Contribution of Poets : Hulasi in Bharatpur, Suryamal Mishan in bundi, and Shankaran Samore in Marwar filled people with courage through their songs
- Prajamandal movements in different princely states, led by figures like Jamna Lal Bajaj and Jaynarayan Vyas, demanded responsible and accountable governance. They played a crucial role in bringing the issues of Rajputana to the attention of the Congress.
Thus all these multifaceted engagements collectively laid the foundation for a politically conscious and socially awakened Rajasthan.
