2016 · GS Paper 1 · Q4 · 12 marks
Discuss the role of women in the freedom struggle especially during the Gandhian phase.
In short
Women resisted colonial rule from 1857 and the Swadeshi movement, but the Gandhian phase made their participation a mass phenomenon through non-cooperation, salt satyagraha, picketing and Quit India. Sarojini Naidu leading the Dharasana raid in 1930 and Usha Mehta's underground Congress Radio in 1942 mark that role.
Model answer
Ghissu Editorial · Verified 4 Oct 2026 · 274 words
Resistance of 1857
Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi and Begum Hazrat Mahal of Awadh led armies against the Company, becoming symbols for later nationalists.
Swadeshi awakening
Bengali women kept their hearths unlit on partition day in 1905, and Sarala Devi Chaudhurani's Lakshmi Bhandar sold swadeshi goods.
Early leaders
Bhikaiji Cama raised a flag at Stuttgart (1907), and Annie Besant led the Home Rule League (1916).
Non-Cooperation
Basanti Devi was among the first women arrested, for selling khadi in Calcutta in 1921, and Bi Amma toured the country for the Khilafat cause.
Civil Disobedience
Sarojini Naidu led the Dharasana raid (1930), Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay broke the salt law, and thousands of women picketed liquor and foreign-cloth shops.
Quit India
Aruna Asaf Ali hoisted the flag at Gowalia Tank, Usha Mehta ran the underground Congress Radio, and Matangini Hazra died at Tamluk.
Parallel streams and limits
Pritilata Waddedar and the INA's Rani of Jhansi Regiment took the armed path, though leadership stayed largely urban and upper-caste.
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This chapter in the exam
Role of Masses and Personalities13 questions
Asked in 8 of 14 sittings since 2013
- 2026The significance of the Gandhian movements lay in the masses they mobilized. Elucidate.
- 2021Bring out the constructive programmes of Mahatma Gandhi during Non-Cooperation Movement and Civil Disobedience Movement.
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