Chitransha Singh- Week 3


SEEKING BEGUMPURA BY GAIL OMVEDUT

Seeking Begumpura is an outstanding account of various literary figures combined like Jyotiba Phule, Ramabai, Ambedkar and Kabir. The idealistic image of an India which is Independent of caste or class and follow the five values mentioned in the constitution of a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic which seems far from true in the contemporary times, look possible.

 Jyotiba Phule’s biography, his involvement in female education and a feminist figure. His theory comparing Aryans and Avatar of Vishnu with invaders as they were motivated by wealth and pished Indian into the drudges of Slavery is not only astounding but an eye-opener.

Ramabai, who was also a contemporary known for her Brahamin-istic scholarly abilities as ‘Pandita’ was a liberal radical who was unfazed by popular opinion. Therefore, she converted to Christianity and remained a feminist activist. She left behind her ‘Mukti-Sadans’ which were meant to make the women independent being who were anti-caste and class. Despite her various attempts, the status of an ‘upper’ class female, so she wrote about the struggles of the women rather than intersectionality among them.

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