The conditions of women during the late 19th century and the first 20th century in India.the rise of feminism; their roles; patriarchal norms etc.....

The condition of Women in the late nineteenth and early
twentieth century was abysmal in every way. They were not given any education and had to
follow strict decorum in their homes and had to observe 'purdah'. Child marriages were a
norm and widows were banished from society and had little rights. It was a male
dominated society and women were treated as second class citizens. However, this period
witnessed the rise of social reform movements in India, especially relating to women
emancipation like the abolishment of Sati and the start of widows
remarriage.

Most of the reforms were implemented by men
like Raja Rammohun Roy, Ishwarshandra Vidyasagar etc. There were very few women
activists or feminists because women were not allowed to express their opinion or mingle
in society. The general women population was illiterate. Only after the implementation
of some social reforms in the late 20th century did their situation improve and they
later participated in the nationalist movement to overthrow the foreign
rule.

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