The women’s question arose in modern India as part of 19th century middle-class social …………………..

Question :The women’s question arose in modern India as part of 19th century middle-class social reform movements. These reformers used a mix of ideas. Explain these ideas.

The correct answer is -The women’s question in modern India emerged during the 19th century middle-class social reform movements, which aimed to address various social and cultural issues of the time, including the status of women. The reformers used a mix of ideas to challenge prevailing patriarchal attitudes and practices and to push for greater gender equality. Some of these ideas included:

Enlightenment thought: Influenced by the ideas of the European Enlightenment, some reformers argued that women were equal to men in terms of their inherent abilities and rationality. They believed that women should have access to education and opportunities for intellectual and social development.

Hindu reformism: Many social reformers were also influenced by the Hindu reformist movement, which sought to revive and reform Hinduism in response to British colonialism. Some reformers argued that ancient Hindu scriptures and traditions had been misinterpreted to justify the subordination of women, and called for a more egalitarian interpretation of these texts.

Western feminist ideas: Some social reformers were influenced by the ideas of Western feminism, which had emerged in Europe and America. They were particularly inspired by the suffragette movement, which advocated for women’s right to vote, and by other feminist thinkers who argued for greater gender equality in all areas of life.

Nationalist discourse: Many social reformers were also influenced by the nationalist discourse of the time, which emphasized the need to modernize India and make it competitive with Western nations. They believed that gender equality was a key component of this modernization process, and that women’s participation in the public sphere was necessary for India to succeed.

Overall, the mix of ideas used by the social reformers reflected a desire to challenge prevailing patriarchal attitudes and practices, and to push for greater gender equality. While the specific ideas varied, the reformers generally advocated for women’s education, empowerment, and participation in public life.