THE WOMEN OF INDIA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22142, 22 June 1935, Page 6 (Supplement)

THE WOMEN OF INDIA

THEIR CHANGED STATUS WORK OF THE ZENANA MISSION ENTRY AT LAST INTO HAREEMS BY H. COLLETT [This article dealing with the work of the Zenana sisterhood in connection with the hareem, •; will be followed next week by one dealing with the part personally played by the Begum of Bhopal.] The almost impossible task of ameliorating the dark lot of the women of India was originally undertaken by a noble, zealous and indefatigable band of heroic English women, a sisterhood which devoted its services to India. Later on, kindred spirits from Australia and New Zealand augmented the ranks _ of these sublime missionaries, who, in spite of the many obstacles in the way, have since carried their endeavour to grand achievement. Shortly after the close of the Great Indian Mutiny of 1857 the sisterhood approached the Government for permission tq_ carry out their work, at the same time requesting official recognition and support. It was here the first obstacle, a severe one at that, was encountered. Not only was permission refused, on the ground that the work would cause strife and bloodshed in clashing with the religious doctrines and customs of both the Mahommedan and Hindu faiths, but the missionaries were notified that, should such trouble arise, the individuals concerned would be held responsible and severely punished. Then/ too, the mission was up

against the unwritten law and code of the hareem, another great obstacle. "The missionaries were refused admittance to the Zenanas, Moslemic and - Hindu alike, as tending to subvert and undermine hareem observances. According to Oriental ideas woman was created for the pleasure of man—-by no means as a, helpmate or companion. For her to know how to read and write would be an act of supreme folly; it would place her in a position to carry out intrigues beyond the hareemkhana walls, being a creature entirely untrustworthy and deceitful. The Terrible Laws of the Hareem The possessors of hareems were autocrats and despots, a law unto themselves and their Zenanas; there could be no recourse against their verdict. Thus, a husband jealous, with or without cause, or tired of a mere plaything, could even pass sentence of death on her, and no loophole was left for escape. The real inside ruler of the hareem was the dowager-mother, who had to be placated at all costs. Wifely status was regulated thus —mothers of sons took precedence, daughters ranked next, childless wives were little better than servants and slaves. The hareems, as a natural consequence, were honeycombed by scandal and intrigue, hothouses of backbiting, spying and jealousy. The neuter guards and keepers were naturally prone to bribery, corruption and tale-bearing, besides being the official court poisoners, stranglers and executioners. The Zenanas were pestilential in their insecurity, a false or incautious step spelling death, with mothers plotting continually one against the other. India, in 1857, was, in fact, a barbarous and cruel country to its daughters. Better Things at Last

When the Great Mutiny had been stamped out, however, and Britain administered law and justice, a gradual change set in. The infamous " suttee " (self-immolation by widows on tlieir husbands' funeral pyres) was sternly discouraged, and the fiendish jugger-nath-car, a large temple on wheels, was absolutely prohibited. All this assisted" the ,■ missionaries, indirectly, perhaps, in gaining ground, though even yet the hareems were closed to them. Then the enlightened and farseeing Begum (Queen) of Bliopal, who had ever,striven to ameliorate the lot of her. native sisters, renounced the purdah (veil) aiid addressed her subjects unveiled. This proved another stepping-stone to better things, especially as regarded Mahommedan Zenanas, the Begum being of Moslem faith herself.

Among the missionaries there were by then highly qualified doctors and nurses*. One of the former was called in on one occasion to a prince's hareem to try to save the life of the heir to the throne. This the missionary accomplished, thus creating a favourable impression, and gradually the Zenanas were thrown open to the indefatigable mission workers.

To-day the wonderful sisterhood is known, respected and loved throughout the length and breadth of India. Its members are to be found ministering to rich and poor alike; caste or creed, palace or hovel makes no difference to them. In -towns and villages scourged by deadly cholera, disfiguring small-pox and hideous bubonic plague, these noble women are doing wonderful work; in areas where famine has spread its ghastly tentacles they are present, organising and succouring, heedless of self and danger. The missions, many and undenominational, and their methods are widespread in their application. Their work is carried out by means of teaching and educating, from school to college, with magnificent' results; through the agency of medicine and surgery in which notable success has been achieved, and finally, by preaching in the vernacular. As a result of their efforts in the cause of Christianity, a modified Hinduism has sprung up, known as " Brahmo Samaj."