To the question of what history is, it is the study of past events, particularly human affairs. It is otherwise the whole series of past events connected with a particular person. So history is the study and documentation of the past. History is an umbrella term comprising past events as well as the memory, discovery, presentation and interpretation of these events.
India’s struggle for independence was really a saga of courage, resilience, and sacrifice deeply rooted in the love and patriotism of its people. On a fascinating journey through the chapters of India’s struggle for independence, the spotlight shifts to an ensemble of remarkable women who, against the challenging backdrop of their time, played pivotal roles in shaping the destiny of our nation.
This article sheds light on the incredible stories of women freedom fighters who played pivotal roles in the independence movement, making immense sacrifices to secure a free and sovereign India.
Having looked at history in particular the freedom struggle, many queens laid down their lives fighting against the enemy.
Their sacrifices were underrepresented in history. It was the Moghul rulers who invaded India and it was later followed by British rule for more than 150 years. For the most period, India was under these alien rulers.
But who made it to history textbooks? This question has been debated over the last few years on TV channels and other platforms. If the invaders and the aliens impressed the historians, they did a great injustice to these queens.
The historians treated Indians as subalterns. Their long-drawn battles were not highlighted anywhere in their research. On the contrary, these pseudo-scholars glorified the history of the invaders and the alien rulers of the country.
India was projected in the darker side to the taste and delight of foreign readers. This is never considered to be an act of patriotism. It is a betrayal of history where the acclaimed scholars of Indian history showed an act of disloyalty and dishonour to our queens who fought valiantly against the aliens. Only the East India Company and the Doctrine of Lapse were highlighted in history textbooks.
Nowhere did they project the sacrifices of these queens in the curriculum too. They are Rani Velu Nachiyar, Kittur Chennamma, Rani Avanti Bai, Rani Laxmi Bai, Ranikarunavati, Rani Durgavati, Rani Jindan Kaur, Rani Rashmoni, Begum Hazrat Mahal, Marangoni Hazra, Abbakka, Rami Tarabai Bhonsle and others known for their courage and resistance against British colonial rule.
It is because of the lack of coverage of Indian queens in text books that children cannot have access to learn about the queens. The colonial rulers focused mainly on the battles led by kings and thus neglected the queens in encyclopedia.
It could perhaps be due to patriarchal bias , predominant focus on political history, poorly documented socio political events, limited space in syllabi, national significance over regional subalterns, overlooking queens. Historically, women were given a second position in society.
Interestingly the history of Mughal Empire figured in Indian History books. Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir and other rulers made it to the text books because of these pseudo historians in India. Another interesting twist that historians made was putting emphasis on Taj Mahal built by Mughal Emperor, Shah Jehan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaj Begum.
But Indian historians who claimed to be great scholars have deliberately avoided these Queens with a motive to underrepresent their contributions in research or text book curriculum.
The school children can well narrate the importance of Taj Mahal. At the same time, they are particularly ignorant of these queens. The historians have underrated the significance of queens in their books.
The successive governments too paid little attention to the valiant queens and their long lasting contribution.
Who then are the traitors? Indians themselves are to take the blame. Under the magic spell of Western taste to attract readers, they glorified the colonial rulers and the Mughul rulers thus ignoring the sacrifices of native Indian Queens.
Moghul India attracted the historians whereas the Rajput Rebellion (1708-1710) was hardly a subject of national interest. They deliberately avoided the coverage of such great milestones in textbooks or research books. They just concentrated on the glorification of the alien rulers thus ignoring the great sacrifices by the queens.
Is this national spirit? Such books were recommended for curriculum in UPCS exams and Universities. The native queens were ignored in their research while the aliens were projected in historical theses and books.
Even NCERT ignored the inclusion of such legendary queens in their textbooks. Major funding Agencies funded those projects which are deeply rooted in the glorification of British rule in India.
Sahitya Akademi is promoting Indian Literature in translation. It should also promote Indian history from the perspective of these Queens. Many debates were organized on TV Channels.
Yet we ignore the contributions of these queens who fought against the British. The curriculum designers should keep these queens in the curriculum. Indians should avoid glorifying the alien rulers under the Westernized fashions.
The history of Indian queens should be known to the schoolchildren. The people enjoy the fruits of freedom but they forget the great sacrifices. The historians paid very little attention to the native queens.
These writers were honoured with the highest civilian honours in India. It has been a great injustice that these queens were underrepresented in history.
Their roles in resisting colonial rule and their individual courage and leadership might not be as thoroughly explored as some other figures in Indian history.
These brave women, at a crucial juncture of India’s decisive phase, who with a unique history and contribution, collectively represented the diverse spectrum of roles they had played during India’s struggle for independence,.
They exemplified the indomitable spirit and selfless commitment to the cause of freedom. Their legacy continues to inspire generations, reminding India of the integral role women played in shaping the destiny of a nation. Unfortunately, they did not make it to curriculum.
All these queens had a unique place in India’s history as they led a fierce battle against the colonial rulers. Recognizing their tombs (“Samadhis”) as a Monument of National Importance will preserve their legacy.
A special program highlighting the sacrifices of queens should be undertaken on International Women’s Day every year.
P.V.Laxmipraasd is the author and editor of 43 books in English Literature.
