Women & Social Legislation in Colonial India

Name of Author : Alakananda Gahir

Abstract: Women constituted the keystone in the arch of Indian society. Legislations helped womens progress from the very beginning of the British rule in India. Before the arrival of the British in India, the position of women in India was deplorable. Of the several evils cording the Indian society in the 19th century, the most growth occurred with the stunting of women. For countless centuries, they were kept in utter objection, denied of any right and were ignored in all spheres of human activity. The reason for the poor status of women in India was the existence of social evils such as sati, child marriage, polygamy, enforce widowhood, denial of education, the purdah system. Moved by the humanitarian and egalitarian impulses of the 19th century, the social reforms started as a powerful movement to improve the position of women. Legal reforms aimed at improving womens live lies on slippery terrain. Some substantial progress was achieved through legislation in eliminating inequalities between men and women. However, the question remains. Do women have had enjoyed their legal rights? This study will explain how the legal reforms helped in women emancipation in India. Also, explore the existing status of women in modern Indian society, whether maintained or deteriorated. In Addition, it offers a new insight by explaining the interplay of British and Indian activists in law reforms movement.

Keywords : Women, Social evils, Legislation, Colonial India

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