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200 Words10 Marks
Q.Defying the barriers of age, gender and religion, the Indian women became the torch bearer during the struggle for freedom in India. Discuss.
UPSC Mains 2013•History
Model Answer
View this Question In PYQ RealmSyllabus Point
- The Freedom Struggle — its various phases and significant contributors/contributions from diverse regions of the nation.
Approach
- Introduction (30-40 words): Provide a brief overview of how Indian women overcame deep-seated social barriers to assume a vital role in the national movement.
- Body (170-180 words):
- Discuss the pioneering female leaders of the struggle.
- Highlight the political, intellectual, and cultural contributions made by women.
- Conclusion (30-40 words): Stress how women's leadership during the freedom struggle not only facilitated independence but also established the groundwork for gender parity and social reform.
Introduction
Indian women arose as leading lights of the independence movement, transcending deep-rooted barriers of age, gender, and religious identity. Their leadership and immense sacrifices proved essential in mobilizing the populace, confronting British colonial authority, and transforming traditional societal expectations. Spanning across underground revolutionary actions to peaceful mass demonstrations, their active participation demonstrated an unyielding determination for national sovereignty.
Body
Women's Pivotal Role in India's Freedom Struggle
graph TD A["Women's Pivotal Role in India's Freedom Struggle"] --> B["1857: Rani Lakshmibai and Begum Hazrat Mahal lead armed resistance"] B --> C["1920: Women participate in Non-Cooperation Movement"] C --> D["1930: Salt Satyagraha and no-tax movements"] D --> E["1942: Aruna Asaf Ali and Usha Mehta in Quit India Movement"]