I'm a Feminist, Loud and Proud

To be honest, I had a two page lengthy essay prepared on how women are underestimated and feminists misunderstood. But proof-reading it I realized, isn't there enough of that already out there? I have read so many debates, posts and articles on this subject. Mine would be an addition to the same. So instead, I thought to share the concept of feminism, what is it really about and what does it stand for. There are articles about that as well, yes. Some in much more detail. I will try to give a short-overview of this idea.

What do you picture when a woman says she's a feminist? In the August 21st 2014 edition , New-York Post ran an op-ed written by Doree Lewak in which she expressed delight in being catcalled by strange men, while at the same time pointing a not-so-subtle finger at all those "unfun" feminists who keep telling her that street harassment was a form of abuse. 

"I realize most women with healthy self-confidence don’t court unwanted male attention. In fact, most women seem to hate it," she noted. "Oh, don’t go rolling those sanctimonious eyes at me, young women of Vassar."

The message is fairly simple: Feminism in this case is the sanctimonious, uptight older sister, always out to spoil everyone's fun.

Don't scoff! You might not believe it, but reaction of people towards a feminist proves that it's a taboo. Why else would international figures like Katy Perry, Demi Moore, Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift deny vehemently being one? Because it's statistically proven to have reduced their popularity and fan following. Even Beyoncé was vague about her stand on the subject and only affirmed to being one after being at a pinnacle where nothing and no one can affect her success. She even performed at an event with 'Feminist' written in back-ground. 

If you google the word, in simple terms it means 'the advocacy of women's rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes' (And we all know google never lies, right?) That doesn't sound so terrible. Feminist is a person who stands for equal rights of both genders. Then why is it rebellious to be one? It's a concept that has given women a push to stand their ground and ask for what they deserve. Contrary to what you might think, the journey was not easy.

Let's go back a little. The idea of feminism came around when women in Britain asked for the right to vote. Apparently it was a pretty huge deal, asking to be the contributor in creating government. As, for it to happen, a movement had to be started called 'Suffrage' and the members were 'Suffragette'. It was norm that caught around the world. The idea was coined in the late 1800's and early 1900's. The first nation to give the women above 21 right to vote was US in year 1869 in Utah, though it was for white women only. New Zealand was the first nation to give voting rights to all the women above 21 years of age, in the year 1893.

And the race that claimed to be the savior of all the others, stating that the world needed to be saved and thus justified their invasion on all the other countries followed by forceful attempt to convert to Christianity (in case we're still not clear, it's the British) gave rights to women to vote in the year 1928. And not all, men and women over the age of 30, meeting certain property qualifications, were given the right to vote. 

Emmeline Pankhurst was the one who brought the idea to the then major player in world's arena, Britain, at a large scale. She was introduced to the Suffrage movement at the age of 14 by her parents. She pretty much brought a trend and shaped the thinking of generations to come. She, with the support of her husband, who was a lawyer and a Suffragette as well, led the party that fought for women's right to vote. The of government of Britain, who ironically have a queen as the head of their governing system, jailed, beat and tried every trick in the book to succumb her and the likes of her.

  

But they couldn't. And that was a start. For the world to change, it has to begin at some point. 

Thus the idea of feminism came around. So what do the feminists fight for in these days? The same thing, equality and respect. Equality in pay, justice in harassment against women, bringing down the prejudices in society etc. And let's get this clear. Feminists stand for gender equality, not gender promotion. Feminists don't hate men, feminists hate sexism and the patriarchy. 

India, I believe, needs feminists. We face gender inequality and sexism from both genders. The biggest challenge here is for women to realize that they are as capable and deserving as their male counterparts. One might not experience it much in metro cities, but it becomes pretty evident in the smaller cities, which constitute 70% of our country. There, asking to be treated equal can bring you raised eyebrows and scorned looks. Along with being labelled a rebellion. Perhaps it was the requirement of older times, but now the world has changed. And with it the roles of women in society too. Only realization has to be brought upon, and that's what feminists are trying to do. 

The Iconic Queens of Indian History

        It is a general belief that women are the one who need protecting. Hence the phrase 'Damsel in distress'. But is that true? Yes I agree that most of the leaders and soldiers in India are men but, though lesser in number, women have been the protectors, the leaders, the saviors as well. And the history goes back to  AD 1236 when the first woman ruler came to power. 

    I will take you through what the Indian history has to tell us about the greatest women who ruled our country. 

    I will begin with 

1. Razia Sultan

            or Razzaiya-al-din was born to Shams-ud-din Iltutmish and succeeded him as the Sultan of Delhi in India from 1236 to 1240. Although she had 4 brothers, her qualities and competence led her father to appoint her as the heir apparent. Even though her reign lasted for a short span of 3 and a half years she proved her worth as a ruler, politician and an army commander. The cause of her de-throne was the reluctance of ministry to accept a woman as their ruler. 

She used to dress up in manly attire and would later show her face while conducting the sessions. She would only answer when addressed as 'Sultan' as against 'Sultana' which mean the wife or mistress of a king. She had all the qualities of a great ruler.

Next to come to power was 2. Rani Rudramma 

    She was in power from AD 1259 to 1289, a reign that lasted 3 decades. A ruler from Kakatiya dynasty of Deccan Plateau she was not only the one of the first women ruler but also one of the youngest. She succeeded her father King Ganapathideva of Warrangel when she was only fourteen. She too had to suffer the disregard of the ministers and even her husband Veerbhadra for being a female ruler. Nonetheless she ruled with great valor to keep the enemy kingdoms Cholas and Pandyas at bay. 

Marco Polo, the Venetian traveller who paid a visit to the kingdom probably a little later, speaks highly of her administrative qualities, benign rule and greatness.

After her came a brave rajputani 3. Rani Durgavati who ruled between October 5, 1524 – June 24, 1564.

A patron of arts , Maharani Durgavati took the reins of dyansties Chandol and Gong in her hands when her husband King Daalpat died and her son Vir Narayan was too young  to take over the kingdom. 

She defied invasion from Baz Bahadur in 1556 but killed herself in the battle against mughal invasion which was led by Asaf Khan. She chose to kill herself in the battlefield when she realised defeat was inevitable. Like a true rajput she preferred the death of a warrior then living a disgraceful life.

4. Chand Bibi      

                                                                                                                        

       

also known as Chand Khatun or Chand Sultana, was an Indian Muslim woman warrior. She acted as the Regent of Bijapur (1580–90) and Regent of Ahmednagar (1596–99). She was officially in power from AD 1595 to 1599 when she was killed. 

She was requested to take powers in her hand as her son was too young when an attack from mughals led by Shah Murad, son of Akbar was anticipated. She successfully  defended Ahmednagar against the Mughal forces of Emperor Akbar.

From the same state of Ahmednagar came 5. Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar  

Daughter of a patil(revenue collector) she came from a village in which girls were not given education but her father taught her to read and write. She was married at the tender age of 8 and her husband died 12 years later after which her father-in-law Malhar Rao Holkar trained her to be a ruler. She took command when her only son Malerao also died in 1767 till her death in 1795. 

          The reign of Ahilyabai, of Indore in central India, lasted for 30 Yrs. This has become almost legendary as a period during which perfect order and good Government prevailed and the people prospered. She was a very able ruler and organizer, highly respected during her lifetime, and considered as a saint by a grateful people after her death. 

6. Kittur Rani Chennamma 

 Born five decades earlier than Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi, she received training in horse riding, sword fighting and archery in her youth. She ruled her kingdom after she was married to Raja Mallasraja.  After their son's death in 1824 she adopted Shivalingappa, and made him heir to the throne. The British East India Company did not accept this and ordered Shivalingappa's expulsion, using a policy of paramountcy and complete authority (doctrine of lapse officially codified between 1848 and 1856 by Lord Dalhousie), but Chennamma defied the order. 

            Rani Chennamma sent a letter to the governor at Bombay to plead the cause of Kittur, but Elphinstone turned her down, and war broke out. Rani Chennamma fought fiercely but was ultimately captured and imprisoned at Bailhongal Fort, where she died on 21 February 1829. She became a symbol of the independence movement in India. 

Next was the famous and one of the most sung-hero of war of Indian independence 7. Maharani Laxmibai of Jhansi 

 This famous picture depicts the queen fighting in the battle with her son Damodar Rao strapped to her. She was one of the leading figures of the Indian Rebellion of 1857 and for Indian nationalists a symbol of resistance to the rule of the British East India Company in the subcontinent. 
Manikarnika was married to Gangadhar Rao, king of Jhansi in the year 1842. She took command in year 1853 after Gangadhar rao died. 

      Lakshmi Bai defended Jhansi against British troops when Sir Hugh Rose besieged Jhansi on 23 March 1858. But when the attack did not stop and continued leading to the death of women and children as well she decided after taking council to escape and join Tatya Tope and Rao Saheb.

According to tradition with Damodar Rao on her back she jumped on her horse Badal from the fort and escaped surrounded by guards; they survived but the horse died. The Queen of Jhansi, dressed as a cavalry leader, was badly wounded; not wishing the British to capture her body, she told a hermit to burn it.

8. Rani Avanti Bai

Rani Avanti Bai (or Avanti Bai Lodhi) ruled in the Indian state of Ramgarh now known as Madhya Pradesh. She was the wife of great king Vikramaditya. The king died leaving no heir to the throne. The british seized this opportunity to bring the kingdom under their rule.  Avantibai rebelled against it and declared war. She raised an army of 4000 all by herself and faught a war against the british in 1857. Seeing the approaching defeat she killed herself by her sword as against surrendering. 


Department of Posts issued the stamp in honour of Rani Avantibai. Maharashtra government issued the stamp in honour of Rani Avantibai.




After her there have been queens but these were the rulers, the patriots, the warriors who inspire me as they fought for their right, their belief and for their people. They changed the way people looked at women in their time. A time when women were not considered equal, were not given the right to stand in the same room or even to basic education. They left a mark in history and in people's hearts. They have and will continue to inspire generations to come.