The Awakening of Indian Women by Kamaladevi Chattophadyay and others is an early classic of anti-imperialist feminist theory.

First published in 1939, it is a dynamic portrait of the Indian Women’s movement in the early 20th century.

Kamaladevi articulates a practical economic feminist theory, grounded in the realities of women and workers’ lives, a vision of India liberated from the yoke of British colonial rule.

Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay (3 April 1903–29 October 1988) was an activist, social reformer and author.

She was a central figure in the Indian feminist movement of the inter-war period, and in 1926 became the first Indian woman to contest - and narrowly lose - the elections.

She was also actively involved in agitations for Indian independence. In 1930, she took part in Gandhi’s Salt Satyagraha and was arrested when she entered the Bombay Stock Exchange to sell packets of salt.

Always of the conviction that cultural and economic autonomy went hand-in-hand, her greatest legacy was the revival of Indian handicrafts, handlooms, and theatre in independent India.

“Quick to respond to emotional appeals, the women were keenly sensitive to the call for service and sacrifice.

Long oppressed, the word freedom worked like magic on them. Almost overnight they emerged out of their rocklike reserve into the glare of the battle-field, the turmoil, into the strange new world of publicity.

The chains fell silently from their wrists and their tender feet which had never known the hard touch of open roads felt fresh strength.

Hundreds faced danger, lathi blows and even gunfire. With pride they entered prisons, leaving behind the traditional sanctity of the homes which had sheltered them so long.

It was a swift lightning process which had to be seen to be believed, to be understood.”