Education of Women during Colonial Period in the Western Himalaya Region
Reeta Devi
Research Scholar, Department of History, Himachal Pradesh University,
Summer Hill, Shimla-5. Mail ID: kundal92reet@gmail.com
Anjali Verma
Assistant Professor, Department of History, Himachal Pradesh University,
Summer Hill, Shimla-5. Mail ID: verma.anjalihpu@gmail.com
Abstract
Women education remained a matter of concern before and after independence of India. It was noticed that women got education formally and informally in various fields depending upon social stratification and demand in the society but her contribution at several junctures remained unnoticed. The region of western Himalaya also did not remain unaffected with changing education patterns with the arrival of British. Hence, the present research takes into consideration the contribution of women in the education in various princely states of present day Himachal Pradesh existing during colonial period. Divided majorly into two segments: before the arrival of British and after they reached in the region, a comparative study runs parallel showing that royal houses of several princely states blended new and old patterns of education for women. At few places, masses were reluctant to introduce their girls in British system of school education. Later, along with royal houses and British, Arya Samaj also penetrated into the region for girl-child education and journey continues till today where various schools and colleges are running in the same buildings established by Royal houses and British for the girls.
Key words: Colonial Period, Education, Girl, Himachal Pradesh, Western Himalaya
DOI link – https://doi.org/10.69758/GIMRJ/2507I7VXIIIP0005
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