The Women Warriors Demand Gender Neutrality

The Unsung Indian Women Warriors Whose Contribution Was No Less Than Men

It was a moment of pride and honour when 34 women personnel of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) joined the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), in India. The Indian women warriors, once again breaking the glass ceiling, are set to specialize in jungle warfare and counter-Naxal operations and this 88^th Mahila Battalion will be the first all-women battalion in the world. Needless to say, this is not the first century when India has been witnessing the brightest laurels brought by women in every sector; we have a glorious history of such bravehearts in the making of India as well as during the Pre-British era and they left no stone unturned in holding their Motherland’s head high. The sad part is we know nothing about the unheard stories from History and the unsung women warriors who made supreme sacrifice to perform their duties that were only to maintain the honor of their people and states.

History bears testimony to the fact that a large number of women had struggled till their last breath to save the honour of their land. An article by an Englishman written after the first war of Independence says, “If there had been a thousand women like the Rani (Rani Laxmibai), we could never have conquered India.” We are proud that we have many such inspirational stories and narratives in Indian history. Let’s go back to the years when India was about to rise and rub her twinkling eyes to see how many traders in disguise were ready to ambush and take her prisoner, but salute to the grit and determination of all those queens, princesses, women guards and commoners who turned into fierce fighters to thwart all their sinister attempts and to destroy the invaders and enemies.

Uda Devi

A little girl from a Dalit family in a small village of Uttar Pradesh was in constant anger to see the rising atrocities of British over the people around her leaving them more aggrieved and irate with each passing day. In her growing years she approached Begum Hazrat Mahal to allow her to make a brigade and revolt against the British administration. Uda devi and her Dalit sisters were titled as Veeranganas, who played a vital role in the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857.

In the month of November 1857, General Collin Campbell’s 93^rd Highland Regiment attacked the Palace of Sikandarbag but they had to face a hand-to-hand combat with rebels who had already fortified the position. After a long struggle when the British besieged the palace, it was observed that many of the British casualties were due to bullet wounds being shot from a distance. Suspecting that a sniper was hiding in a Peepal tree nearby; they fired at the tree and killed the rebel. Only then it was revealed that the sharp shooter was the Veerangana Uda Devi, who participated in the uprising and fought with her indomitable courage.

Onake Obavva

Obavva, a common woman from a very humble background was wife of a guard posted at Chitradurga fort. During the years around 1760-65 when Haider Ali was determined to conquer the fort and making repetitive maneuvers for the same; he found Obavva entering the fort through a secret opening, he ordered his cavalry to chase her and intrude. When Obavva noticed some suspicious activity she decided to guard the crevice herself as her husband was away. She had no other weapon except a wooden club called onake to kill the trespassers. She was very precise in her attack as she hit the intruders on their head one by one. When her husband returned he was shocked to see his brave wife standing victoriously with a blood-stained onake in her hand and over a 100 dead soldiers. 

Velu Nachiyar

She was the queen of Sivaganga and popularly known as Veeramangai meaning brave woman. She was the first Indian queen to wage war with East India Company in India. She was trained in martial arts, horse riding and archery, not just this she had a flair for languages and was fluent in French, English and Urdu. After her husband’s death she was forced to escape her state but she didn’t lose hope and sought an alliance with Haider Ali with the aim of attacking the East India Company.  She planned a suicide attack to destroy the ammunition store of the British. Queen’s adopted daughter Kuyili, the commander-in-chief volunteered to carry out this suicide attack. She soaked herself in ghee and jumped into the store, setting everything on fire. After this first recorded suicidal blast in India the queen finally won her lost state and title in the year 1780. She is still remembered for her fearlessness and gallantry.

Interesting Reading on History: Embracing History to Discard Distory

These stories of valour and sacrifice are just a few drops from the ocean of Indian history. There are hundreds of such stories which are under layers as words like courage, bravery, war and weapons are only associated with men and women are hardly appreciated for such heroic qualities. The gender disparity in India has not only taken a toll on women’s right to education, equality and expression but on the appreciation of their heroism   also. It has been believed for centuries that they are meant to play only a supporting role, preparing meals and singing to soothe the menfolk; which is completely false and jaundiced idea. The gender stereotypes and attitudes in our country had shackled all the fame and glory of women and they often met with a cold stare and derisive laugh if they ever opposed the odds and proved themselves feisty. 

It would not be wrong to say that the freedom was fought by all, men, women, upper and lower strata of Indian societies, but the glory was sung only for a few; many remained untold, unheard and unsung. The apathy was faced more by women, the most vulnerable part of a patriarchal society. 

Don't you think such narratives should be incorporated in the History text books?