THE ROLE OF MUSLIM WOMEN IN THE FREEDOM MOVEMENT AGAINST THE BRITISH RAJ IN THE COLONIAL PUNJAB (1919-1947)

Abstract

Colonial Punjab played a significant role in Muslim politics. It was crucial to obtain this province's full support in order to advance Indian Muslims' viewpoints. Punjab had developed into a significant location for Muslim women to participate in many aspects of public life in the years prior to independence and the division of India. This was a significant achievement for the Muslim women of Punjab. The ML had a proud tradition of ensuring that women could attend education, which affected its policy. Lahore's function in Punjab as a hub for Muslim women's education in the 1940s was a major factor in the large number of people who would have supported the League. Many of the female activists in the mid-1940s pro-Pakistan movement shared similar educational backgrounds that influenced their political beliefs. However, the role of Muslim women in the freedom struggle of Pakistan in Colonial Punjab has been an under-researched area. Hence, this study is aimed to discuss the political activism of Muslim women in the context of Punjab. This study discusses the role of Quaid-i-Azam in increasing the participation of women in politics; the impact of the Muslim women's political participation from Punjab on British Indian politics generally and specifically on the freedom struggle for Pakistan; and analyzes the Muslim league political contribution after the creation of Pakistan. This research study argues that it is through the active role played by Quaid-i-Azam and Miss Fatima Jinnah that the political participation of Muslim women from Muslim majority region of Punjab in British India increased due to which the avenue for women’s rights has also been opened for the Muslim women. Keywords: CD, Miss Fatima Jinnah, Quaid-i-Azam, Begum Salma Tasadduque Husain, Begum Jahan Ara Shah Nawaz, Urdu language, ML, Freedom Movement, Refugees.