In the pre-independence period, the status of women within the country was in a deprived state. The major cause of this was, there was prevalence of male dominance. Due to this, the position of women was undermined. The major responsibilities of the women were dedicated towards the implementation of household responsibilities and they were not allowed to participate in the implementation of other tasks and activities, nor were they allowed to express their ideas and viewpoints. In addition, they were overwhelmed by the practices of polygamy, sati, child marriage, and female infanticide.
To study the position of women before the independence period, it is necessary to discuss the position of women during the Vedic period, Post Vedic period, Medieval period, British Period.
Undoubtedly, the position of women during the Vedic period was glorious on account of freedom and equality. During this period, the women participated in every walk of life. Women studied in Gurukuls and enjoyed liberty in every sphere. The great women like Apala, Visvara, Yamini, Gargi and Ghosa stole the lime-light and became front runners in society. They acquired efficiency in art, music and even warfare. In Upanishad, the wife has been regarded as a true companion of the husband. The wife has been blessed to live as a queen in the husband's house in Rigveda. This shows a high status of women. The wife has been called the root of prosperity, enjoyment and Dharma in Mahabharata. The man was not religiously competent to perform religious duties without his wife. However, the system of polygamy and dowry was only prevalent in the ruling class. There was no prohibition in the remarriage of widows and also no discrimination between a boy and girl.
During the Post Vedic period, the women had suffered drastic hardships and restrictions as propounded by Manu. He attempted to set up male dominated society by increasing the authority of man. The birth of a girl child was treated as a disaster for the family, Girls were denied access to education. During this period, the pre-puberty marriage system originated, thus the marriageable age of girls was lowered to 9 or 10 years. However, girls belonging to the ruling class were allowed to receive education, training in military science, administration and fine arts to some extent; Daughters were brought up under surveillance of her father, as a wife of her husband, as a mother of her son. On the other hand, Manu believed that where the women are respected, there all deities are pleased and where they are dishonoured there all religious activities become fruitless.
Surprisingly, in the Post Vedic period, the women's right to property was recognised and the concept of "stridhan" prevailed.
Women's position was further degraded during this period with the invasions of Alexander and Huns. This period is predominated by the Muslim rulers. With the advent of Muslims in India, the social movement of Indian women was restricted. When Hindu culture came in the clash with a culture far different from its own, the Hindu leaders of the society began to frame rules and laws to safeguard their interest especially the position of women. With the threats of the invading soldiers roaming countryside, women were prohibited to attend public functions and were placed behind the veil.
Many social evils like female infanticide, Sati, Purdah system, or zenana (the seclusion of women), Jauhar, and child marriage were being introduced. During this period child marriage was firmly enforced. Girls had to get married before puberty. The age of 8 was regarded as ideal. Early marriage was followed by early maternity, which increased mortality amongst women. In this period, there has been a decline in the ratio of women. Sex-selection abortion was regarded as the major factor that has led to this decline. Avenues for their education were lost, they were excluded from all important decision-making processes. During this period the concept of dowry thrived. Indian women were politically, socially, and economically inactive except for those engaged in farming and weaving. Thus, during the medieval period the women were oppressed in every sphere.
The British came to India in 1600 A. D. For nearly 200 years in their East India company incarnation there were no real efforts made to address questions of social inequality or social oppression. The need for cheap labour and exploitation of natural resources were at the core of the imperial economy and it did not initially touch upon the social scene. Hence social evils such as sati, suppression of widow, denial of the right to education for women, and child marriage flourished unchecked. At the advent of the British rule, the position of women in India was at its lowest ebb.
During the colonial era, many Indians acquired western education and were introduced to the concepts of freedom, equality, and fraternity proclaimed during the French revolution. These educated people emphasized the equality of women with men. They challenged the caste system. The British government took bold steps to reform the caste-ridden Indian social order.
Two major movements took place during the British regime. These are:
This movement emerged during the 19th century and raised the question of equal status of women. Social reformers showed the concern regarding problems of sati, prohibition on re-marriage, denial of right to property, child marriage and education to women. The reformers were of the view that by giving women access to education and by introducing progressive legislation social reforms in respect of women can be achieved. Swami Vivekanand, Dayanand Saraswati and Annie Besant were of the opinion that the old Vedic period should be revived which was ideal for women's status. The father of the nation Mr. M.K. Gandhi strongly criticised the system of child marriage, sati, prohibition of widow's re-marriage and Devdasi system.
The nationalist movement drew the attention of a large number of people and generated confidence among women to raise their voice against the oppressive system. In 1927, All India Women's Conference was formed and it proved to be a crucial movement towards the right to equality of women. Consequently, a number of legislations were enacted like Widow's Remarriage Act, Child Marriage Act and Hindu Women's Right to Property Act, which intended to eradicate certain social evils. Even provisions of industrial laws were appropriately amended to restore the status of women which prevailed during the Vedic period. The establishment of creches, reduction of working hours, prohibition on night working hours and restriction to work in mines were introduced under the banner of nationalist movement.
It is submitted that during the British period public awareness was created while women's political and social participation attained momentum.
The position of women was different in different pre-Constitution periods. Initially, women were given respect and recognition within the society, but within the course of time, their position suffered a degradation. However, today, women are also contributing to the nation’s prosperity and growth. With the help of the legal system, women have become independent socially and politically.