This research paper delves into the significant contributions of women in the making of the Indian

Constitution, which laid the foundation for a democratic and inclusive nation. It explores the active
participation of women in the Constituent Assembly, their advocacy for gender equality and
women's rights, and their role in shaping the constitutional provisions that ensured the
empowerment of women in post-independence India. The research paper also serves as a means of
documenting the historical context and the specific contributions of women during the
constitutional-making process. It aims to analyze the gender dynamics and perspectives that
influenced the framing of the Indian Constitution. It explores the challenges and barriers faced by
women in participating in the Constituent Assembly and highlights their efforts in advocating for
gender equality, women's rights, and social reforms. This paper seeks to bridge the existing gender
gap in historical narratives by focusing on the often-overlooked contributions of women. It
challenges traditional narratives that have marginalized or omitted women's contributions and aim
to provide a more balanced and inclusive perspective on India's constitutional history.

HISTORICAL CONTEXT

The British rule in India lasted for nearly 200 years, from the late 18th century until 1947. It can be
divided into two distinct phases: the rule of the East India Company (1757-1858) and the British Raj
(1858-1947). During both phases of British rule in India, women faced significant challenges and
inequalities in various aspects of their lives. The Britishers, while claiming to bring civilization and
progress, failed to address the deeply entrenched gender inequalities that existed in Indian society.
Instead, their policies and actions often reinforced the subjugation of women. Indian society during
this period was deeply patriarchal, with rigid gender roles and social hierarchies. Women were
expected to adhere to traditional roles as wives, mothers, and homemakers. Practices such as child
marriage, sati (widow burning), and purdah (seclusion of women) were prevalent in different regions
of India, perpetuating gender inequality and restricting women's agency. Purdah was more
commonly observed in Northern India, particularly among certain Muslim communities. It was also
prevalent among some Hindu communities, especially in parts of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.
Whereas, Sati was most common in parts of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Bengal. The preference
for male offspring and the dowry system led to the prevalent practices of female infanticide and
feticide. Women faced significant disadvantages in matters of inheritance and property rights.
Customary laws and patriarchal practices often denied women their rightful share of property and
inheritance. Women's economic dependence on male family members further reinforced their
subordinate status. The British East India Company's monopolistic trade practices and exploitative
economic policies resulted in the impoverishment of Indian farmers and artisans. This economic
disempowerment had a disproportionate impact on women, as they were often engaged in
agriculture and cottage industries. Women were subjected to low wages, long hours of labor, and
harsh working conditions, with little control over their own economic resources. This economic
dependence perpetuated their subordination and limited their agency to improve their
circumstances. Access to education for women was also severely limited during this period. Societal
norms and biases against women's education hindered their intellectual and personal development.
The British introduced a Western education system, primarily catering to the male elite, while
neglecting the educational needs of women. Female literacy rates remained abysmally low, and most
girls were deprived of formal education. This educational disparity further widened the gender gap,
limiting women's ability to participate in public life, engage in intellectual pursuits, and challenge the
prevailing gender inequalities.

The gradual improvement in the condition of women during British rule in India can be attributed to
a combination of factors, including social reform movements, changing attitudes, and the emergence
of women's organizations. The Brahmo Samaj, founded by Raja Ram Mohan Roy in 1828, advocated
for women's education and the improvement of women's social status. Often considered the "Father
of Indian Renaissance.", Raja Ram Mohan Roy challenged oppressive customs such as child marriage
and advocated for widow remarriage and women's participation in social and religious activities.
Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar actively worked to challenge the prevalent social stigma attached to
widowhood and advocated for the remarriage of widows. Vidyasagar's efforts played a significant
role in the passage of the Widow Remarriage Act in 1856. Pandita Ramabai Sarasvati advocated for
women's education, promoted the empowerment of widows, and fought against child marriage.
Ramabai established the Sharada Sadan, a shelter for widows and abandoned women, providing
them with education and vocational training. Sarojini Naidu, also known as the "Nightingale of
India,", actively supported women's education and was a strong advocate for girls' schools. Naidu
played a significant role in raising awareness about women's issues and empowering women through
education. The Hunter Commission, appointed in 1882, was a landmark event in the history of
women's education. It aimed to evaluate the state of education in India, including the provision of
education for women. The commission's recommendations emphasized the need for women's
education and the establishment of schools for girls. The establishment of colleges for women during
British rule in India was a turning point in the history of women's education. The Bethune School was
founded in 1849 by John Elliot Drinkwater Bethune in Calcutta (now Kolkata). Queen's College was
established in 1861 in Benaras (now Varanasi). Lady Hardinge Medical College, Women's Christian
College, and Lady Brabourne College were some notable ones. Kadambini Ganguly and
Chandramukhi Basu were among the first female graduates in British India and they played a crucial
role in advocating for women's education and breaking barriers for women in academic and
professional fields.

The formation of the Indian Constitution was a historic event that marked the culmination of India's
struggle for independence and laid the foundation for a democratic and sovereign nation. The idea of
a constituent assembly was first proposed in 1934 by M.N. Roy. The demand was taken up by the
Congress Party in 1935 as an official demand. On August 8, 1940, the British government made an
announcement known as the "August Offer." As part of this offer, the British proposed the formation
of a constituent body that would be responsible for framing a new constitution for India. In March
1942, the Cripps Mission, led by Sir Stafford Cripps, arrived in India with the objective of discussing
constitutional reforms. The mission proposed the idea of a Constituent Assembly, comprising elected
representatives from the provinces and princely states, to draft the constitution. In 1946, the British
government proposed the Cabinet Mission Plan as a means to resolve the constitutional deadlock
between the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League. The plan recommended the creation
of a Constituent Assembly consisting of representatives from different political parties and
communities. The Indian National Congress accepted the proposal, paving the way for the formation
of the Constituent Assembly. On December 9, 1946, the Constituent Assembly of India was
established. After partition, some of the members went to Pakistan and the number came down to
299. Out of this, 229 were from the British provinces and 70 were nominated from the princely
states. The drafting of the Indian Constitution was a remarkable achievement, driven by the
commitment of visionary leaders such as Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai
Patel, and many others. There were 15 women representatives in the Constituent Assembly. Ammu
Swaminathan, Annie Mascarene, Dakshayani Velayudhan, Durgabai Deshmukh, Hansa Mehta, Kamla
Chaudhary, Leela Roy, Malati Choudhury, Purnima Banerjee, Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, Renuka Ray,
Sarojini Naidu, Sucheta Kripalani, Vijayalakshmi Pandit, and Dakshayani Ghosh. These women
representatives made valuable contributions to the drafting and shaping of the Indian Constitution.
Their advocacy for women's rights, gender equality, education, and social welfare played a pivotal
role in ensuring that the Constitution reflects the principles of justice, equality, and empowerment
for all citizens, regardless of gender.