Pre Independence

Women have a special place of pride and honour in the Indian Society. Their role in nation building is also well recognized. Like men they too have excelled in every walk of life.

Women Rulers	Women Warriers	Freedom Fighters

Women Rulers

Ahilyabai Holker

Ahilyabai Holker Born in Ahmednagar of Maharashtra to Manakoji Shinde in 1725. Married to Khande Rao in 1733. When Khande Rao died in the battle of Kumbher in 1754 Ahilyabai learnt to run the princely State of Holker under the stewardship of her father-in-law Malhar Rao Holkar. With the death of her father-in-law in 1766 the entire responsibility of running the State devolved on her. In the age and land of 'Sati', this woman rose to be a great leader of people and won the name of 'Lokamata' for her able administration and for her understanding of her people. She proved herself to be an enlightened ruler from then onwards till her death in 1795.

Rani Rashmoni

Rani Rashmoni was born on 26 September 1793 into a poor farming family of Harekrishna Das in Kona village, in present day North 24 Parganas. Exceptionally beautiful, she was married to Babu Rajachandra Das of Janbazar, Kolkata, a member of a wealthy zamindar family, when she was eleven years old. After her husband's death she took charge of the zamindari and business. She soon proved herself a natural leader. While the prestige of the zamindari grew, Rani Rashmoni, being very pious from childhood, continued to lead an extremely religious and austere life, befitting a widow in Indian society. Rani Rasmoni's nationalist outlook brought her in direct confrontation with the British rulers and each time and every time she had her way and the British could not prevail upon her.Rani Rashmoni was the founder of the Dakshineswar Kali Temple, Kolkata, and remained closely associated with Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa after she appointed him as the priest of the temple.