Marathi Women: Stamps in History
It is not uncommon to come across articles on women and their roles these days. On the contrary, one is likely to find more of them now, than there ever were in history. And maybe, mine is just another drop added to this ocean of literature out there. Since communicating mediums are much more accessible, it is easier to reach out to a larger audience than earlier. And using ‘just that technology’, many ‘typers’ like me, would like to believe that we are putting relevant words out there. Now that I have sort of given a statutory warning, I can present my two cents to you.
Topics on women are been discussed more freely now and we as of today’s women, are one of the most fortunate ones to have ever lived in any part of our history so far (I acknowledge that there are many in the present who are not). Something that came up in one of my recent musings, was the role of Marathi women in history. I understand, that I am being bold to specifically point out to the Marathi-speaking folk but do read till the end to know that glorifying a section, is in no way putting down the other.
The earliest of the earliest literature that I read, dates back to the 13th century. The year was 1296 when Alauddin Khilji marched to Deogiri (now Daultabad) without any resistance. However, one text points out that a Chieftain assisted by two nameless Maratha women ‘who fought like lionesses’ tried to resist the 8000 cavalries, however, they were unsuccessful. Although so less is often written in the history of the people who were not in power, a hypothesis could be made that maybe Maratha women were not unaware of battling techniques back then, which we would see emerge again about 400 years in Satara and Jhansi. Centuries later, Dennis Kincaid on his encounter with Marathas, described the Maratha women, as free of speech and outspoken. ‘Purdah was unknown to them and that they could talk to strangers freely and she would respond wittily while the men stand around shaking with merriment’ (the men needed to be applauded here). One of the points he highlights is that Maratha women is proverbial for her courage and has a biting wit.
One of the greatest of them all, Jijabai Shahji Bhosale, known dearly as Rajmata Jijabai or Jijau who gave birth to one of the greatest warriors in this country. If one reads about Shivaji’s childhood, it is clear that his mother shaped him to build a Hindu Swaraj which is also known as the Maratha Empire. She belonged to an influential family, however spent her early days of pregnancy moving around the countryside for her, and her son's safety. One can say that she was a single mother who brought up the young Shivaji in a war-torn countryside that was being ravaged by invaders from all fronts. The idea of Hindu Swaraj in a Sultanate-dominated country was impregnated by her in the young child. In local folklore, it is also glorified that she fought a lion to save young Shivaji (although I couldn’t find many references here). While she imparted morals, values, strength, and courage, she advised the Chhatrapati on political and economic issues when he began the war. Another woman from the same clan whom few know is Tarabai, queen of Rajaram Bhonsle and Shivaji Maharaj’s daughter-in-law. In fact Jadunath Sarkar, the famous historian comments on the period of her reign in the 1700s, “During this period, the supreme guiding force in Maharashtra was not any minister but the dowager queen Tara Bai Mohite. Her administrative genius and strength of character saved the nation in that awful crisis.” As the Queen Regent, she took charge of the war against Aurangzeb’s forces. Clearly, it seems to be normal in those times, for a woman to take charge when the men were not around.
Another queen and a gutsy woman to come later was Ahilyabai Holkar, the Queen of Maratha Malwa kingdom. The circumstances in which she came to power, were not short of a tragedy. After losing her husband, her father-in-law, and her son she was determined to take up the responsibility of the kingdom without drowning herself in her grief. She was known as a brave and proficient ruler who ruled the Malwa in an enlightened manner.
A century later after, another simple girl who got married into royalty was Rani Laxmi Bai, Queen of Jhansi. The only picture that comes to mind when one hears her name is that of a lady on a rearing horse with her child strapped to her back, and a sword in one hand. She was an admirable woman, who resisted the British and set out to create an army of women to drive them away. It is interesting to note that, since childhood, she indulged in shooting, horsemanship and it is also said that she did weightlifting and wrestling. It seems possible only if the culture, was ready for women to indulge in activities which were apparently, otherwise only considered suitable for men.
Now one might wonder that most of the well-known ladies are counted for but here is the interesting part. We see a swarm of Marathi women emerge in the 1800s. Standing ground and paving the way for the women to come after them were, Ramabai Ranade, Anandibai Joshi, and Savitribai Phule. Not Queens by titles but their contributions make them royal in their own right. For without such examples to look up to, we might have set ourselves back by a few years. Savitribai Phule (1831–1897) is regarded as the first female teacher of India. She along with her husband Jyotirao Phule played an important role in improving women’s rights in India and abolish discrimination based on caste. She is also regarded as the mother of Indian feminism! Ramabai Ranade (1863–1924) another social reformer who also worked on women's issues worked against child marriage and provide education to girls. Anandibai Gopal Joshi (1865–1887) set a brave example when at the young age of 19, she set out to America to pursue a 2-year degree in western medicine from the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania. She was the first female physician in India along with Kadambini Ganguly. Although she did not live long, she set a path which many women would follow in the years to come.
In this remarkable quest of history (which is still ongoing and maybe this article is too), I happen to chance upon some words and some instances where these women, left their footprints in a history narrated by men, about the men. To accomplish such feats must not have been an easy task, and although I have just highlighted the time periods and their achievements in those times, there is one important thing to note. I titled this article as the Marathi Women, for a specific reason. And by Marathi, I mean the people who historically belonged to the Deccan region and whose language is primarily Marathi (and let us not dilute this discussion with any relation to caste).
The chain of events in history, assures one thing for certain, that there had to be a thread in this social fabric that gave the opportunities to women, to realize themselves and to stand out in history and make their mark. Let us not be naive, to not acknowledge the men who stood by these women. After all, while Jijau was bringing up her son all by herself Dadoji Konddeo helped her look after Pune Jagir and recognized her authority. It was Rani Laxmibai’s father-in-law who recognized her qualities to help assist the king in ruling Jhansi and similarly for Tarabai, who took up the charge of her kingdom. Their stories are not focused on them fighting the society to reach a place of authority, instead, their stories are on bravery and valor against an external enemy. To put it in simpler words, the cultural society was such that, women, if capable were in positions of power, and the men supported them. Even at the turn of the century, the pioneers in education, medicine, and social reform, were women whose husbands motivated them to learn, educate and set examples in society, so that many women could follow. For these extraordinary women, there were many remarkable men who stood behind them to take up the baton, to create a better world for the women of the future. And I am absolutely certain that there are many such cultures that vibe to the same tune.
So today when I say Marathi women, I speak from a point of perspective, which I have as a person of that very culture. While women of today still have many hurdles to jump, I find that Marathi women are still very outspoken and will not cower behind. If you visit the rural countryside, you will find many women who are the primary cultivators and managing the agricultural fields. For that matter, do not be surprised if you find a young girl driving a tractor on her farm, helping her father in the state of Maharashtra. To the many out-spoken and sharp-witted girls that I have interacted with, I wonder if it’s the geography of the region or the social culture that helps. Or maybe just some other reason that I could not pinpoint. An answer, maybe a Sociologist could provide. But it is true, the society that we had definitely promoted a culture of women who came forth and shone bright like the pole star.
While History is not a place to live in or dwell, nor to confine itself to monuments and statues. It is in the culture that we bring across, learn and relearn. To build on the references and create a tomorrow, that will refer to, this history that we are creating now, as a good one and worth learning from.
