In a fascinating tribute to India’s journey to independence, a book titled India on Their Minds explores the perspectives of eight remarkable women who witnessed and participated in the events leading up to India’s independence and the subsequent Partition. Authored by Ritu Menon, this collection features the thoughts and writings of Nayantara Sahgal, Qurratulain Hyder, Rashid Jahan, Ismat Chughtai, Attia Hossain, Kamlaben Patel, Lakshmi Sahgal, and Saraladebi.
For Nayantara Sahgal, one of the featured writers, India has always been the main character in her novels. She enlightens readers about her vision of India, describing it as a nation that aspires to secularism, pluralism, diversity, and equality. Nayantara Sahgal’s writing reflects her feminist perspective, intertwining the personal, political, and literary aspects of her life.
The book also highlights the fictionalized account of Kamlaben Patel, a Gandhian who exclusively wore white khadi saris and played a crucial role in the ‘Recovery Programme’ from 1947 to 1952. During this period, Hindu and Muslim women who had been abducted were rescued and reunited with their families. Despite her Gandhian beliefs, Kamlaben Patel was critical of the orthodox Hinduism and traditionalism often associated with Gandhi, declining to speak at a function commemorating Kasturba due to the latter’s representation of Hindu women’s subordinate status.
Other authors, such as Lakshmi Sahgal, joined Subhas Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army (INA) in direct opposition to Gandhi’s non-violent approach. However, Lakshmi Sahgal admired Gandhi for his resistance movements and respected him greatly. In contrast, Nayantara Sahgal argues that non-violence is not synonymous with passivity but rather denotes a conscious and active form of resistance. Saraladebi, another writer featured in the book, eventually adopted a similar outlook, despite initially advocating for a muscular form of Hinduism.
Menon, the compiler of these thought-provoking accounts, observes that all the writers in the collection share an undercurrent of loss. Some express it more emphatically, while in others, it remains subtle. Nevertheless, their collective work contributes significantly to the literature surrounding India’s independence and Partition.
India on Their Minds serves as a valuable addition to the body of work dedicated to India’s struggle for independence. It presents readers with various viewpoints and perspectives from women who experienced these historic events firsthand. The book taps into the personal, political, and social complexities of the era, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of India’s past.
Note: The book India on Their Minds by Ritu Menon is available for purchase at Women Unlimited for ₹399.
