The Role of Assamese Women in the Constructive Programs of Freedom Movement

Abstract

Under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, India's struggle for Freedom attained the nature of a mass movement. Gandhiji involved both men and women in his various programs of Freedom Movement. It was Mahatma Gandhi who had great respect for women and had full faith in their power. Under the banner of Non-Violent Movement conducted by Gandhiji, along with the women of other states of India the Assamese women also were able to take part in the Movement for Independence against British Raj. In both the destructive and constructive programs of the movement women of Assam proved their patriotism. The names of Kanak Lata, Bhogeswari Phukanoni are counted as the leading freedom fighters not only of Assam but also of India. But there were a number of Assamese freedom fighters who following the constructive path shown by Mahatma Gandhi had made remarkable contribution in making the freedom movement successful in true sense by making the people self reliant so that they could attain the economic independence along with political freedom.  Unfortunately, the works of these freedom fighters are not giving the due focus in the history of freedom movement, so they are not widely known.

The aim of this paper is to throw light on the Constructive Movement in Assam highlighting the dedication and hard works of those Assamese women who successfully carried out some of the constructive programs under Gandhiji. The study is analytical, mainly confined to the activities of the women of Brahmaputra Valley and is basically secondary data from all possible sources are to be utilized for the proposed study.