Breaking Barriers: The Forgotten Women Who Shaped India's Future
- sarvamshakti
- Jun 6
- 3 min read
Throughout history, women in India were denied education, rights, and equality simply because of their gender. But even in the face of immense oppression, some women chose to rise, resist, and rewrite their destiny. Their bravery laid the foundation for the rights and freedoms women enjoy today. Here are some of these incredible, though often forgotten, pioneers:
1. Savitribai Phule – The First Female Teacher of India
Born in 1831, Savitribai Phule was a trailblazer for women’s education at a time when the idea of girls attending school was considered scandalous. Alongside her husband, Jyotirao Phule, she started the first school for girls in Pune. Despite facing abuse people would throw mud and cow dung at her, she never wavered. Today, every girl sitting in a classroom owes something to her fearless struggle.
2. Rani Abbakka Chowta – The Warrior Queen Who Fought the Portuguese
Long before the Rani of Jhansi, there was Rani Abbakka Chowta, the fearless queen of Ullal (in present-day Karnataka). In the 16th century, while European powers were expanding their control over India, Abbakka fiercely resisted the Portuguese. She led her army with unmatched strategy and courage, refusing to surrender for decades. Yet, her name is scarcely mentioned in history books.
3. Begum Rokeya – The Feminist Visionary of Bengal
Imagine envisioning a world ruled by women at a time when women weren’t even allowed to read or write. That’s exactly what Begum Rokeya did in 1911 with her revolutionary book Sultana’s Dream. A reformer and educationist, she dedicated her life to the upliftment of Muslim women, founding schools and challenging deep-rooted patriarchal norms.
4. Velu Nachiyar – The Queen Who Fought the British Before 1857
Often overlooked in mainstream narratives, Velu Nachiyar was one of the earliest Indian rulers to resist British colonial rule. In the 1780s—nearly 75 years before the 1857 Revolt—she waged war against the East India Company. She formed alliances, trained the first known all-women army, and even carried out one of the earliest recorded suicide missions to destroy a British ammunition store.
5. Durgabai Deshmukh – The Unsung Freedom Fighter and Reformer
While names like Nehru and Patel dominate the freedom struggle, Durgabai Deshmukh remains relatively unknown. A fierce patriot, she played a key role in drafting India’s Constitution and later worked tirelessly for women's rights, legal reform, and education for the underprivileged.
6. Usha Mehta – The Teenager Who Defied the British with a Radio
During the Quit India Movement of 1942, when many were hiding from British authorities, 22-year-old Usha Mehta ran a secret underground radio station. Broadcasting patriotic messages and updates about the movement, she inspired thousands and became a thorn in the side of the British Raj. Despite her bravery, her story is often left out of textbooks.
Without these courageous women, millions of girls in India might still be denied education, equality, and basic rights. Their strength, vision, and sacrifice paved the way for the opportunities young girls have today. Let us remember them, celebrate them, and continue their fight for a more just and equal world.
Written By Parinith U and
proofread/edited by Yash Gauba
Komentarze