Women s Vernacular Press during the British Rule in Punjab 1900 1947 With the Special Reference of Punjabi Periodicals

Abstract

newlineThe advent of British era in India led to various changes in the society. They newlineintroduce the new concept about the women s role and also about their abilities which newlinewere accepted by Indian social reformers. The social reformers in 19th Century treated newlinethe women as objects for reforms but in early 20th century a change came in the newlineapproach of the reformers. They started to use print media to eradicate the social newlineblindness and nature of women s oppressions due to educational awakening and with newlinethe help of media some substantial progress was made in eliminating inequities newlinebetween men and women. Education and media redefining the social status of women newlinein the country and motivated them to enter in public sphere. In early 20th century newlinewomen started to enter in the field of journalism. As a concept of new women arose newlinethey become the editors of different journals and magazines. newlineThe present thesis has divided into six Chapters. The First chapter is Historical newlineBackground deals with four sections. First one the origin and growth of press and newlinejournalism in India. Second and third is related to the development of vernacular newlineperiodicals in colonial India as well as in Punjab. In the fourth section of chapter I newlinehave discussed about the growth and development of Punjabi journalism in colonial newlinePunjab. All the laws related to press those were passed time to time by the British are newlinediscussed in this chapter. newlineThe Second Chapter entitled Women s newspapers and Magazines. A brief newlinehistory of the position and status of the women in India is given from ancient period newlineto early 20th century. A brief information is given of women periodicals of Hindi and newlineUrdu languages which motivated the women for publishing the Punjabi magazines newlineand Journals. Azad Bhain, Punjabi Bhain, Istri Samachar, Istri Satsang, Istri Sudar newlinePatar, Istri Ratan, Istri Chiktsa Darpan, Fuleran, Bhujhangan Patter, Khalsa Suanni, newlineIstri,and Saheli etc. were the magazines and newspapers which are discussed in the newlinechapter. newlineIn the Third Chapter Social Issues Related to Women, all social conditions newlinewhich were discussed in Punjabi magazines and journals are elaborated in this newlinechapter. The major issues and themes of the Punjabi women periodicals such as newlinefemale education, female illiteracy, Purdah System, Sati Pratha, Polygamy, child newlinemarriage, cruel Treatment of widows, widows remarriage and all social customs are newlinediscussed. newlineiv newlineFourth Chapter, Political and Economic Issues Based on the articles that were newlinepublished for women in political and economic issues. Punjabi periodicals played a newlinemajor role for the professional education (teacher, doctor etc.) along with the skill newlinedevelopment of women in stitching, painting and other skill works through articles. newlineVarious women council s in Punjab are formed such as Bhujangan Council, Punjab newlinewomen Organization, Sikh Women Organization etc. Female leaders of these newlineorganizations motivated the women to join politics. Print Media played significant newlinerole for the political maturity and economic independence of women. newlineFifth Chapter Role of Press in Creating Awareness discussed about the print newlinemedia during the British rule in Punjab played an important role in Punjabi society as newlineto fight the various ill- practices. It also created awareness among women during newlineBritish rule in Punjab and encouraged them to fight for a more respectable status in newlinesociety. The women periodicals played an important role in the women life. Issues newlinerelated to women like creating awareness regarding Social evils. Creating the desire newlineof political participation among women, contribution in the field of education, newlinedevelopment of perfection of skill works as well as to become a good mother sister newlineand daughter. newlineIn Sixth Chapter , Conclusion of the study strictly based on the facts and newlinefigures as yielded by the primary and secondary sources.