Her Stories iIndian Women Down the Ages

Some were celebrated,
Others vilified
While some were casually neglected
Yet, the story of these women lived on...
Her-Stories is a discussion of women from Indian history whose contributions
have been all but forgotten. These were poets, performers, warriors, saints,
philosophers, activists and more, yet we hardly remember their courage and
contributions. The time has come to bring their history to the fore.
Their stories describe desperate situations, ingenious strategies and brilliant
sparks of feminist consciousness. Rather than accounts of isolated 'great
women', these stories place at the centre the ordinary woman, in all her
splendid diversity, multifaceted struggle and achievement. The women
profiled were encouraged and supported by others-their achievements
represent the aspirations of many in the past, and provide inspiration for
us in the present.
Cutting across several regions of India and presented in chronological order
from second millennium BCE, to the mid-nineteenth century India, these
are the stories of women who have been thinkers, doers, movers and shakers
who have subverted hierarchies, brought peace out of chaos and survived
despite routine devaluation.
Philosopher Sulabha, philanthropist Vishakha, fearless Uppalavanna,
wandering bard Auvaiyar, justice maker Leima Laisna, astronomer Khona,
mountain queen Didda, radical poet Akkamahadevi, intrepid Sultan Razia,
martial artiste Unniyarcha, poet-saint Janabai, Gond Rani Durgavati, historian
Gulbadan, cultural ambassador Harkha, pepper queen Abbakka, fakira
Jahanara, brave Onake Obavva, Dalit rebel Nangeli, dancer-diplomat Mahlaqa
Bai Chanda, lion queen Jindan, Nawab Begum Qudsia, sharpshooter Uda,
guerrillera Hazrat Begum and feminist writer Tarabai Shinde.