Previous Year Question

With the development of the Indian National Movement, women's participation in public and political activities steadily increased, and all four movements listed here contributed to this process.

1. Swadeshi Movement: During the movement against the Partition of Bengal in 1905, women participated in the boycott of foreign goods, promotion of indigenous goods, meetings and nationalist propaganda. The movement particularly drew women in Bengal into nationalist activity.

2. Home Rule Movement: From 1916, the Home Rule campaign led by figures such as Annie Besant widened political consciousness. This period also witnessed increasing institutional and political activity among women and the emergence of organisations such as the Women's Indian Association in 1917.

3. Non-Cooperation Movement: During 1920–22, women's participation became much wider. They adopted khadi, spun yarn, picketed shops selling foreign cloth and liquor, contributed money and jewellery and participated in public demonstrations.

4. Civil Disobedience Movement: During the Salt Satyagraha and Civil Disobedience Movement from 1930, women's participation became even more direct and extensive. Women violated the salt laws, joined processions, organised picketing and courted arrest in large numbers.

Thus, the growing political participation seen during Swadeshi and Home Rule developed into large-scale mass participation during Non-Cooperation and Civil Disobedience.