The Role of Women in the Quit India Movement: A Detailed Study

Abstract

The Quit India Movement of 1942, initiated under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, was a pivotal chapter in India’s struggle for independence. While the role of prominent male figures has been widely chronicled, the immense and courageous contribution of women has often been marginalized in mainstream historical narratives. This study presents a comprehensive examination of the active and diverse roles played by Indian women during the movement. It highlights their involvement in leadership positions, underground communication networks, civil disobedience activities, and grassroots mobilization. By analyzing primary sources, personal memoirs, letters, and historical documents, the research underscores how women defied both British colonial authority and entrenched patriarchal structures. The study not only restores women's rightful place in the freedom struggle but also reflects on how their participation laid the foundation for future gender-based political and social transformations in independent India.