Study on the Impact of Colonial Policies on Women's Opportunities in India

Authors

  • Vikas  Department of History, BMU Asthal Bohar, Rohtak, Haryana, India
  • Prof. Dr. Vinay Kumar Pathak  Department of History, BMU Asthal Bohar, Rohtak, Haryana, India

Keywords:

British colonial policies, women's empowerment, education, social reform, economic roles, political activism, Indian independence, gender equality

Abstract

This study examines the impact of British colonial policies on women's opportunities in India, exploring how economic, social, and political changes under colonial rule reshaped women's roles in society. Initially aimed at establishing control, British policies inadvertently opened spaces for women in education, healthcare, and limited economic roles, setting in motion gradual social shifts. Reform movements during this period, supported by British administrative changes, challenged practices like Sati and child marriage, encouraging limited advancements in women's rights. Furthermore, exposure to Western political ideas during the independence movement spurred political activism among women, fostering a legacy of resilience and agency. However, colonial rule also reinforced patriarchal hierarchies, creating a paradox of empowerment and constraint. This dual legacy left an enduring impact, laying a foundation for post-independence progress while highlighting the complex path to gender equality. As Indian women continued this journey, the colonial era's contradictions underscored both the obstacles and potential for transformative change, informing contemporary movements for women’s rights and social justice.

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International Journal of Scientific Research in Science and Technology

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Published

2023-09-10

Issue

Volume 10, Issue 5, September-October-2023

Section

Research Articles

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[1]
Vikas, Prof. Dr. Vinay Kumar Pathak "Study on the Impact of Colonial Policies on Women's Opportunities in India" International Journal of Scientific Research in Science and Technology(IJSRST), Online ISSN : 2395-602X, Print ISSN : 2395-6011,Volume 10, Issue 5, pp.690-701, September-October-2023.