Women and the press in British India, 1928‐1934: a window for protest?

Abstract

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to understand how, in tough economic times, British‐owned, English language newspapers such asThe Pioneerreceived and filtered news, especially gender‐related and nationalist‐related events and thinking.Design/methodology/approachUsing qualitative and quantitative methods to assess communications by and about pro‐nationalist women, coverage of female activities was categorised into two groups: first, educational, social and peaceful campaigns and second, direct action such as strikes, burning of British cloth and business/land rent boycotts.FindingsDirect action provided “bad news” coverage, but it simultaneously gave a small window for publicity. Less threatening peaceful campaigns provided a bigger window – enhanced by the novelty value of female activism.Research limitations/implicationsHistorians need to look specifically at Indian newspapers during the struggle for independence for a counter‐hegemonic discourse that reached a wide public. When evidence of women's activism is paired with financial news, it becomes clear that women had a negative impact on British business. Furthermore,The Pioneer's own business dilemmas made the paper part of the economic and ideological maelstrom that it reported on.Originality/valueThis is the first time that the colonial press in India itself has been scrutinised in detail on the subject of the rising nationalist movement and women. Findings underline female influence on both economics and ideology – a neglected aspect of Indian gender scholarship and economic history.