Defying the barriers of age, gender and religion, the Indian women became the torch-bearer during the struggle for freedom in India. Discuss.

Theme

T64 Women's question in history: 19th-century reform & freedom struggle

What UPSC asks in this theme

UPSC asks what issues and debates about women arose in 19th-century reform, and women's role in the freedom struggle, especially in the Gandhian phase, across age, gender and religion.

What to cover

• Reform issues: sati, widow remarriage, child marriage, purdah, education
• Reformers: Rammohun Roy, Vidyasagar, Phule and Savitribai, Pandita Ramabai
• Freedom struggle: Sarojini Naidu, Aruna Asaf Ali, Kasturba, Usha Mehta, Kalpana Dutt, Bhikaiji Cama
• Gandhian phase: salt satyagraha, picketing, khadi — why women joined in large numbers

Writing the answer

• Name women and movements; link to present gender debates in conclusion

These notes are for the whole theme, built from all 3 of its PYQs. UPSC does not publish model answers.