KASHMIR: The women of Substance

From the earliest times Kashmiri women enjoyed freedom, wielded ample power and exercised responsibility. They had an elevated status than many of their counterparts in India. In Kashmir they were afforded opportunity to distinguish themselves in any sphere of social activity. As a matter of fact they had emerged from domestic into the political stage.

They were free, owned land and other immovable property, managed their own estates and even fought on the battle fields as commanders and generals at the head of troops. The status of queen in the royal courts was no less than that of the king. Usually in Kashmir as elsewhere, men ascended the throne and ruled the country, but there was a tradition as forceful as law that at the time of coronation when the king was crowned the queen had to be present and actively participate in the ceremony. She shared the throne in the Royal Darbar on the auspicious occasion and sprinkled with sacred waters in the same manner as the king was by the royal preceptor. There can be no denying that the king was final in all matters concerning the State but queen's consent was also of paramount importance. The Kashmiri queens would not just advice kings in the affairs of the State but have played many roles during the periods of crisis e.g. Queen Dida, Kota Rani etc.

In contemporary and medieval Kashmir like other members of the society women could not escape the oppression of the Pathan and Sikh rule followed by Dogra regime. They had to suffer cruelty but the brave women put forward the same courage as displayed by men in raising their voice against the oppressors. They came forward to share the responsibility of freeing the motherland and to build a New Kashmir out of the ashes of the past. Women from all walks of life joined the ‘Freedom Movement' which was started by their male counter parts. Processions of women were a common feature of the agitation in almost all parts of Kashmir. The brave daughters of Kashmir sacrificed everything for the cause of ‘Freedom Movement'. They participated in anti-government demonstrations, were lathi-charged, injured and many of them smiled at the death for the purpose of emancipation of their motherland.

It were these influences that had a catalytic impact on the overall thinking of the people in the State that ignited a spark in the benumbed hearts and minds of both common people and the intellectuals. In that situation no one could keep away themselves from these influences. Hordes of people came at the fore front and played very important role along in the ‘Independence Movement' and other empowering movements which were part of it.

Today the political participation of women is not on that scale. It may be the result of radicalisation of men who don't want women to be on forefront of the struggle. Or there is another surmise it may be because State has been able to persuade half of the population that the exercise to participate in resistance movement is futile. Whatever be the reason the truth is that not many women are on the forefront of the struggle and by struggle I mean everything that is associated with social community.