Women Reservation, Governance and Socio –

Economic Transformation:
A Historical Studies of Rural Uttar Pradesh

RESE
RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Centre For Historical Studies

SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

SESSION – 2024-25

JAWAHARLAL NEHRU UNIVERSITY

NEW DELHI -110067

APPLICATION NO
NO- 240510225217

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Women Reservation, Governance and Socio – Economic Transformation: A Historical
Studies of Rural Uttar Pradesh

In Ancient times, the status of women was very respectable and advanced. In prehistoric
times there was no division of labor between men and women. In the Harrapan Civilization,
women were given special importance in society due to their fertility and they were
worshiped, this is confirmed by the idols of mother goddess obtained from the excavation. In
the Rig Vedic Period, women received all kinds of respect and honour, they were also free to
pronounce and recite vedic mantras during the yajna, the Upanayan Ceremony of girls was
also described in the era.

Negative changes and visible in the status of women from the later vedic period, girls were
denied the upanayan ceremony. In this era, women were limited to only worshipping their
husbands.

After this, by the time of the Gupta Period, the condition of women become more enslaving,
the religious life of women was limited to mere fasting. They could neither recite the Vedas
nor listen to them. Evil customs like sati Pratha also came into existence.

The condition of women become even more pitiable in the medieval period, women’s
education was completely abolished, purdah system was compulsory for all women, the
practice of sati and Jauhar was at its peak. Evil practices like child marriage, polygamy and
infanticide had become prevalent in the society.

In the medieval period the Bhakti movement tried to improve the condition of women but it
was limited.

In the modern era, the efforts of social reforms brought positive changes in the status of
women, the practice of sati was banned. Emphasis was laid on widow remarriage. After 1919,
efforts were made to grant voting rights to women but these efforts were not enough.

As a result of the renaissance, women came out of their homes and participated in the
freedom movement, and made the country aware of their capabilities and unique talent. Many
women took part in the freedom movement and played the role of leader such as Rani Laxmi
Bai, Aruna Asaj Ali, Raj kumara Armit Kaur, Sarojini Naidu, Madam Bhikaji Cama and
Usha Mehta etc.

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Along with independence, the country faced many challenges, the horror of partition was one
of them. Women suffered the most form this, incidents like molestation, rape and forced
marriage happened with about 70 to 80 thousand women. At the time of independence, the
female literacy rate was only 7.9 percent and female life expectancy was just 32 years.

Soon after independence, universal adult suffrage was granted to all women in the country
without any discrimination. Article 14, 15 and 16 of the Indian Constitution ensure that
women are not discriminated against on the basis of caste , gender and religion.

Under Article 39, it is the duty of the state to provide equal means of livelihood to men and
women without any discrimination. According to Article 40 the state shall take steps to
organize village panchayats.

For the first time, Balwant Rai Mehta committee (1957) suggested to nominate two women
members at all three levels of panchayat with the objective of ensuring participation of
women in panchayat.

By the 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments, 33 percent seats were reserved for women in
panchayati raj institutions and urban local bodies. It has increased the participation of women
in decision making. It has also provided leadership opportunities to women which is
contributing to their empowerment in rural society. Educated women have started discussing
issues like domestic violence, child marriage and female foeticide. Economically empowered
women have paid more attention to the education and health of the family.

However, there are still many challenges in rural areas. Patriarchal thinking has hindered
women’s freedom. According to the 2011 census, the female literacy rate in Uttar Pradesh is
57.18 percent, which is much lower than the male literacy rate (77.28 percent) , in rural areas
it is even more lower. According to the NCRB Report of 2022, Uttar Pradesh leads the
country in crimes against women. It is important to implement reservation at the ground
level.

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 Review of Literature –

According to Dr. Mukta Dubey (2013), in her book “Mahila Arakshan : chunautiyan aur
Sambhavnayein”, explained how the status of women changed in different time like in
ancient times their status was respected, but their status declined during the medival period,
because during this period women were away from education and various types of evils were
prevalent in the society. The author has also described the participation of women in the
freedom movement during the colonial period. This book helps to understand the changes in
the status of women from historical perspective.

According to Dr. Nishant Singh (2016), in his book , “ Mahila Rajniti aur Arakshan”
explained the history of Panchayati raj. According to the author, after the ancient times,
panchayats were fully active in some states in medieval India too. The author has said that the
British caused the most damage to the panchayati raj system. They removed this system and
established the zamindari system. J.L. Nehru wanted to establish panchayati raj in the country
only after independence, with this objective, Nehru started the community development
system in 1952. The author has also discussed about women reservation in panchanyati raj.
The author has also explained that many women get elected to the panchayat but they are not
aware of their rights. The reality is that their male relatives play major role in politics in the
name of women. The author has also explained the need of reservation for women.

Mahipal (2017), in his book “ Panchayat mein Mahilayein : Chunautiyan aur

Sambhavnayein” discussed the challenges and possibilities in the field of women reservation.
According to the author the major social challenge is male dominated society and patriarchal
thinking. The author has also presented case studies and examples related to this. The major
economic challenge is that women are totally depended on their husbands. Women are also
victims of political crime, factionalism and casteism. The author has highlighted the hurdles
faced by women by presenting examples related to Uttar Pradesh.

Dr. Shashi Bhushan Pandey (2016), in his book “Uttar Pradesh mein Gramin Vikas aur
Mahilayein” has explained that how women have benefited from reservation in panchayants.
He has also discussed successful examples of women leadership. These women have
implemented health facilities, drinking water and government schemes in their areas. Along
with this, the author has also discussed in his book that there are many social, economic
challenges that have hindered the path of women.

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Objectives –

1- To do a detailed study of the historical background of women reservation.

2- To study the changes in the social and economic status of women due to women
reservation in panchayats.
3- To understand the condition of women in rural areas of Uttar Pradesh and study the
results of reservation.
4- To do a detailed study of the challenges and possibilities for improving the condition
of women.
5- To do a detailed study of grassroot problems faced by women in rural Uttar Pradesh.

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Research Question –

1- To study the status of women from ancient to present times, despite having a
respectable status in ancient times, why do they need reservation today ?
2- How has women reservation in panchayats effected governance in rural areas? How
effective has women leadership been in Uttar Pradesh?
3- What changes have women reservation brought in the social and economic condition
of the rural areas in Uttar Pradesh ?
4- What impact has women reservation had on the health, education and livelihood of
women in rural areas?

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Research Methodology –

In the presented research proposal, the researcher will try to reach the research conclusion by
using historical, scientific, descriptive, comparative, interview and questionnaire research
method.

1. Historical Research Method – This method will be used by the researcher to establish
the background of his research.
2. Descriptive Research Method - In this method the researcher will used to describe the
events and facts in a systematic manner.
3. Comparative Research Method – By using this research method, the researcher will
reach a strong conclusion by doing a comparative study of different times, events and
facts.
4. Interview Research Method – Through this method the researcher will collect facts by
interviewing the important people in this field.
5. Questionnaire Research Method – Through this method, information and facts will be
collected from people.

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Primary Sources –

1- Census of India
2- Interviews of Women
3- NCRB Report, Ministry of women and child development and ministry of panchayati
raj report.
4- Records of panchayats and gram sabha.
5- India Year Book (Published by Govt. of India)

Secondary Sources –

1- Geraldine forbes, “Women in Modern India”, Cambridge University Press, 1996.

2- Ram Kumar Yadav, “ Gramin Mahilaon Ka Sashaktikaran : Uttar Pradesh Ka
Adhayan”, Shankar International Publications, 2015.
3- Dr. Anjali Shukla, “Uttar Pradesh Me Mahila Sashaktikaran” , Prabhat Publications,
2017.
4- Aruna Rai, “Gramin Bharat mein mahilayein : Samasyein aur Samadhan” Vani
Publication, 2009.

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 CONCLUSION

The system of reservation for women in India reflects the efforts to improve their status.
Constitutional provision for women, reserved seats for women in Panchayati Raj and local
urban government and the recently passed Nari Shakti Vandan Act have proved to be
milestone in improving the status of women . But better reforms are still needed in the rural
areas of Uttar Pradesh. As challenges like increasing crime against women, social prejudices
and evils and limited participation in the work force still persist.

The objective of reservation should be to provide real representation to women and empower
them. Reservation should not be limited to just constitutional provisions, but should be used
for real empowerment of women. Participation of women in legislature and executive will
help to create a strong society for them.

With time, there is a positive change in male behavior and sensitivity towards women in rural
areas of Uttar Pradesh, but its pace is slow. The Government should try to create a favorable
social environment with the participation of voluntary organizations. For this exhibitions,
workshops and CD displays etc. can be organized in rural areas.

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 CHAPTERIZATION

1- Changes in the status of women from ancient to modern times.

2- Indian society (in the context of Uttar Pradesh)
3- Women reservation and panchayati raj institutions.
4- Women and related issues in rural Uttar Pradesh.
5- Benefits, challenges and possibilities of women reservation in rural Uttar Pradesh.
6- Conclusion.

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY

1- Mahipal, “ Panchayat mein Mahilayein: Chunautiyan aur Sambhavnayein”,

National Book Trust, New Delhi, 2017
2- Dr. Shashi Bhushan Pandey , “Uttar Pradesh mein Gramin vikas aur
Mahilayein” , Prabha Publication, 2016.
3- Dr. Archana Tripathi, “Gramin Mahilayein: Chunautiyan aur
Sambhavnayein”, Lok Mitra Publications, 2020.
4- Report of the team for the study of community projects and national
extension service (Chairman Balwant Rai Mehta), 1957
5- Dr. Nishant Singh, “Mahila Rajniti aur Arakshan”, Omega Publication
2016.
6- Dr. Mukta Dubey, “Mahila Arakshan : chunautiyan aur Sambhavnayein”,
Classical Publication Company, 2013.
7- Dr. Sudha Mishra, “Panchayati Raj mein Mahila Bhagidari”, Sahitya
Bhandar, Allahabad, 2018.

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