Reminiscences: The Memoirs of Shardaben Mehta by Purnima Mehta Bhatt - 2008

Cambridge University Press/ Zubaan Publications, 2008. First edition. Hardcover. New. IN THE AFFLUENT and confident capitalist society of nineteenth century Gujarat, debates on social reform, including women’s reform, were conducted entirely by men, and were largely of academic interest since the historical transition to British rule had brought about little change in the existing social structure. In this context, the interventions of Sharadaben Mehta, a progressive educationist and social worker, represented a pioneering attempt by a woman in the early twentieth century at questioning, analysing and changing the conditions of women’s lives. The story of her life, as told by her in this memoir, is not that of an individual woman struggling to realize her personal aspirations, rather it is the story of an educated woman, equipped with independent views and fearless convictions, determined to open up a space for other women to enable them to experience the freedom and joy denied to them in their daily lives in patriarchal society. This book, made up of short pieces that she wrote at regular intervals for publication, tells the story of Sharadaben’s life and times, giving us insights into Indian history, viewed from the point of view of a participant in the freedom movement, and provides rich insights into the area of women’s education and the many campaigns in which they were involved. As well, it documents a life of intellectual companionship and action, one committed to women’s freedom and independence. Contents Introduction Epilogue Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Chapter 34 Chapter 35 Chapter 36 Chapter 37 Chapter 38 Chapter 39 Chapter 40 Chapter 41 Chapter 42 Chapter 43 Chapter 44 Chapter 45 Chapter 46 Chapter 47 Chapter 48 Chapter 49 Chapter 50 Chapter 51 Chapter 52 Chapter 53 Chapter 54 Chapter 55 Epilogue Printed Pages: 332. Reminiscences: The Memoirs of Shardaben MehtaPurnima Mehta Bhatt9788189013653