Mothers of the Nation: The Honouring of Women and Acts of Resistance.
This essay will argue that, both in the colonial and in the national (post-Independence) eras, the same social forces responsible for the subjugation of women to men have also used "women" as collective signifiers of social virtue, honour, and even national identity. Indian women have been both active participants in this process as well as leaders of the resistance against such "honours". The conflicting role of Indian women in this process is due largely to the fact that their subjugation is not confined to the field of gender relations. Historically, colonialism and nationalism, family, caste and class have all participated in this process. 5 pgs. 16 f/c. 6b.
