Kashmiri Women in the Political Struggle Against Dogra Rule
Aadil Nazir Bhat
Research Scholar, Department of History, Jiwaji University, Gwalior, M.P.
While historical narratives of Kashmir’s freedom struggle have largely focused on male leadership, this study brings to light the powerful contributions of women from various social and economic backgrounds who broke traditional domestic boundaries to enter the public and political arenas. Anchored in feminist historiography and postcolonial theory, the paper examines pivotal events such as the 1931 protests, the Quit Kashmir movement, and the emergence of the Women’s Self-Defense Corps, emphasizing the courage and leadership of women like Fazli, Jan Ded, Zoni Gujjari, Begum Abdullah, and others. These women engaged in street protests, resisted state violence, led social welfare campaigns, and stood beside men in confronting political oppression. Through archival research, eyewitness accounts, and historical texts, the study highlights how Kashmiri women redefined their societal roles during a transformative period in the region’s political history. Their agency, resilience, and sacrifices played an essential role in shaping the discourse of resistance and laying the groundwork for gender-inclusive political participation in Jammu and Kashmir’s socio-political evolution.
1. Dar, A. H., & Nengroo, A. (2015). Dogra Raj and Forms of Silent Protest in Kashmir (1846-1932), p.132. Bhat, S. A., Nazir, Y., & Mir, A. A. (2010) Diverse Meanings of Freedom Struggle in South Asia: Movement against Dogra Rule in Kashmir, p.112.3. Sheikh, S. A., & Bodha, I. J. (2016). Famine in Kashmir: The Policy of Dogra Ruler: 1846-1925. International Journal on Arts, Management and Humanities 5 (2):p. 17.4. Khan, G.H. (1980). Freedom Movement in Kashmir 1931-1940. New Delhi, Jammu, Trivandrum: Light and Life Publications, p.ix.5. Ibid., p.1.6. Ibid., citing The Treaty of Lahore, Article XII, p.3.7. Ibid., citing Treaty of Amritsar, Article III, p.3.8. Ibid., p.11.9. Letter from Maharaja Pratab Singh to Prime Minister (14 December 1918), File No. 191/h-75, Kashmir Government Records (J&K State Archives).10. Ibid., p.13.11. Ibid., p.78.12. Ibid., p.82.13. Rashid, (1968). Tarikh-e-Hurriyat-i-Kashmir. Srinagar: Muhaftiz Publications, p.1171.14. Khan, G.H. (1980). Freedom Movement in Kashmir 1931-1940, p.95.15. Ibid., p.99.16. Ibid., p.100.17. Ibid., p.13.18. Ibid., p.78.19. Ibid., p.82.20. Ibid.21. Yasin, M., Yasin, M. (Eds.) (1996). Mysteries and Glimpses of Kashmir. New Delhi: Raj Publications, pp.195-196.22. Khan, G.H. (1980). Freedom Movement in Kashmir 1931-1940, p.101.23. Ibid., p.118.24. Ibid., pp.122-123.25. P.N. et al. (2005). Daughters of Vitasta. New Delhi: Pamposh Publications; Reprint: Srinagar: Gulshan Publications, pp.246, 261, 263.26. Khan, G.H. (1980). Freedom Movement in Kashmir 1931-1940, p.130.27. Ibid., p.131.28. Ibid.29. Yasin, M. (1996). Mysteries and Glimpses of Kashmir, pp.197-198.30. Saraf, M.Y. (1977). Kashmiris Fight For Freedom Vol. 1 (1819-1946). Lahore, Pakistan: Ferozons Ltd., pp.382-384.31. Ibid., p.388.
