Liberation of Women: Activities of Women’s Indian Association in Colonial Tamilnadu, 1917–1945

Abstract

Indian Women in course of time, lost their ‘honoured status’ in the society. The flangled shastric injunctions, dead customs and usages made their life miserable. The call of resurgence came from the west and a galaxy of socio religious reformers came forward to champion the great cause. To uplift the woman folks, women leaders felt an inner urge of conscience and showed the will and determination to attain the goal of emancipation. The outcome to the above effort was the eradication of widowhood and all other evil practices. Socially, politically and economically the condition of Tamilnadu during the early part of the 20th century was not conducive. Socially different customs and conventions prevailed everywhere. The position of women in the society was deplorable. Child marriage paved the way for the increase of child mothers and early widows. Early attempts to restrict this evil practice of child marriage by legislation did not bear fruit. The Age of Consent Act, 1891, had little effect to restrict child marriage. The cruel practice of dowry had become a deep-rooted social malady leading to the economic exploitation of women. Due to the materialist approach towards life and westernization the demand for dowry had become rampant and too much exacting. The dowry was called as Stridhana. Concubinage was a common practice of the day. According people kept women illegally for their private pleasures. Polygamy was prevalent everywhere in Tamil country.