History of Doing: An Illustrated Account of Movements for Women's Rights and Feminism in India, 1800-1990

DETAILS : 

• Author : Radha Kumar
  
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Zubaan Books
  
• Publication date :1 January 2011
  
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
  
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 204 pages
  
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 8185107769
  
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-8185107769
  
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 550 g

ABOUT THE BOOK 

The History of Doing is an illustrated thematic history that traces the evolution of the women's rights movement in India from the 19th century to 1990. It documents the journey from early social reform efforts led by men to the active participation of women in the nationalist struggle and the rise of autonomous feminist groups in post-independence India. Through photographs, letters, and archival documents, the book vividly reconstructs campaigns against issues like sati, dowry, and rape. Kumar critically analyzes the shifting definitions of the "woman question," challenging the notion that Indian feminism is merely a derivative of Western ideologies. It serves as a seminal text for understanding the complexities of gender, caste, and class in the Indian political landscape.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Radha Kumar is a distinguished Indian author, policy analyst, and specialist in peace and conflict studies. She has held prominent positions, including Director General of the Delhi Policy Group and Director of the Mandela Centre for Peace at Jamia Millia Islamia. A respected academic with a PhD from Jawaharlal Nehru University and a degree from Cambridge, she was also appointed as one of the government's interlocutors for Jammu and Kashmir in 2010. Her work often bridges the gap between gender studies and international relations, with other notable works including Paradise at War: A Political History of Kashmir. She remains an influential voice in Indian public policy and civil rights discourse.