Introduction
The Indian independence movement, which
unfolded over several decades, was
characterized by the involvement of countless
individuals driven by a deep desire to liberate
their nation from colonial rule. While historical
accounts have traditionally highlighted the
contributions of male leaders, there has been a
growing scholarly interest in the role of women
in the freedom struggle. This research examines
the vital yet often overlooked contributions of
women freedom fighters in the regions of the
southern United Provinces (modern-day Uttar
Pradesh which is currently part of modern Bihar)
and Bihar between 1920 and 1947.
The period from 1920 to 1947 was an intense
phase of various activities and transformations in
India’s struggle for independence. This period
saw the emergence of several mass movements
under the leadership of figures such as Mahatma
Gandhi, whose advocacy of nonviolent
resistance inspired millions to join the cause. Key
events such as the Non-Cooperation Movement
(1920–1922), the Civil Disobedience Movement
(1930–1934), and the Quit India Movement
(1942) were instrumental in mobilizing
participation from diverse sections of society,
including women, who played a significant role
in these campaigns.
ABSTRACT
This paper examines the role of forgotten women freedom fighters in Bihar during the Indian independence
movement from 1920 to 1947. The historical literature has ignored women's contributions to the Indian
freedom struggle; therefore, the present research aims to fill this research gap and try to investigate the
feminist view towards the Indian Independence movement. These women contributed to various
movements of Indian independence like the Civil Disobedience Movement, Non-Cooperation Movement,
and Quit India Movement. The study explores the activism of prominent figures such as Saraswati Devi,
Vindhayasini Devi, Tarkeshwari Sinha, Tara rani Shrivastava, Ram Piyari Devi, and other lesser-known local
Bihar women leaders who mobilised rural and urban communities. The present paper has utilised archival
research and oral histories to highlight how these women defied cultural expectations, organised impactful
protests, and played a key role in advancing the movement of the independence struggle at the regional
level in various rural areas of present Bihar. The findings emphasize the intersection of gender, caste, and
nationalism, revealing the multifaceted roles these women played in both the public and private spheres.
This research contributes to the broader understanding of Bihari women's gender dynamics in colonial
resistance and the reconfiguration of social identities during the independence movement.
KEYWORDS
Freedom Fighter, Women History, National Movement, Nationalism, Gender History
Forgotten Women Freedom Fighters of Bihar: Gender, Resistance, and
Nationalism (1920–1947)
Zeenat Mahzabin
CONTACT: Zeenat Mahzabin zeenat@bhu.ac.in Research Scholar, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
© 2025 The Author(s). Published by Asiatic Society for Social Science Research, under Journal of Asiatic Society for Social Science
Research. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial License.
The terms on which this article has been published allow the posting of the Accepted Manuscript in a repository by the author(s) or
with their consent.
Journal of Asiatic Society for Social Science Research
ISSN: 3048–9024 (Print) | 2583–4533 (Online)
June 2025, Volume 7 Issue 1 (Pg. 27 – 36)