A freedom fighter, activist and politician: Durgabai Deshmukh; Image Source: Feminism in India

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> “Life is uncertain and the lifespan is limited. Why, then, wait to do a good thing?”

Born on 15th July 1909 in the Rajahmundry town of Andhra Pradesh was a fiery cannonball of a girl who was destined to leave behind bold impressions in the coming future. It was none other than the legendary feminist icon Durgabai Deshmukh. A woman par excellence, she has been known to be the most dynamic and vocal women freedom fighter of all time and has the most undaunted achievements under her name.

She was a girl who belonged to a lower-middle-class family, with her father working as a social worker—a circumstance that greatly influenced her zeal to fight and stand for her choices from a very young age. Durga's father used to take her and her younger brother to show the work he did. They would witness him as working as a pallbearer to the discarded corpses that were left unattended after succumbing to cholera and plague. These memories of burning corpses and disposing of bodies became one reason why she was so brave.

Durga saw death up close and appreciated her father for the values he had passed on to her. Although she respected and admired her father to no end, there was one act of his that history would deem almost unforgivable.

> Durga was married off at the age of eight to a *zamindar*. At an age where children aren’t even aware of the word "marriage" and its implications, she was already a bride to a man much older than her. However, she wasn’t a person who would give up.

With her ambition to pursue studies and decide her own future, Durgabai Deshmukh successfully negotiated her way out of this marriage before it could get consummated. This was just the start of all the astonishingly brave acts she is now remembered for. During the struggle for independence, Deshmukh inevitably came across Gandhi who deeply influenced her. 

> In 1921, when she was informed that Gandhi would be visiting her village soon, she ran off to make arrangements for him to see the state of *devadasis* and Muslim women, despite knowing that she could be arrested for it. She was only 12 at that time.

While it is quite unbelievable, she also managed to find a venue and raise the required revenue in order to negotiate with the organisers and send Gandhi over even if it was for five minutes. Such was her sense of justice. Gandhi's visit had a great impact on her and her family as, after that, they restricted themselves to wearing hand-spun *khadi* only. Additionally, Durgabai also decided to quit school because she was against the imposition of the English language. These incidents took place when the Non-cooperation Movement was at its peak.

Although she quit school at that time, she later found time to obtain bachelor's and master's degrees in political science from Andhra University.

> Nine years after she quit school, Durgabai actively participated in the Salt Satyagraha that happened in Madras and was subsequently thrown in jail for three years. She even spent one whole year in a solitary cell.

Her time in prison was an eye-opening experience. While she was there, she spent time with many women who were wrongfully imprisoned due to false criminal convictions. Their living conditions made her realise the many problems that held India back from the development it needed. Out of the women who were imprisoned, a lot seemed to be illiterate, and due to this, their unanswerability made them look guilty. She thus decided to study law and become a criminal lawyer and a reformist who would help women win their rights and needs. 

She established an organization named Andhra Mahila Sabha that helped in empowering women through education, healthcare facilities, and vocal training. The majority of women in the Andhra district stepped up and fought for freedom because they were inspired by Durgabai Deshmukh's perseverence. Her notable activism made Nehru and many others take notice of her. 

> In 1942, after completing law, she was accepted as a lawyer after she passed the Madras Bar. Later on, her extensive social work along with being a criminal lawyer helped her become a part of the Constituent Assembly in 1946.

As a member of the Constituent Assembly, Durgabai came across as a devoted advocate who worked relentlessly for an independent judiciary. Her experiences of struggle as a woman made her establish many laws to aid them. There were laws related to child marriage, property ownership, and safety. She then served as a member of the Committee for Rules and Procedure and the Steering Committee. Durgabai is said to have made approximately 750 amendments, both on her own as well as in collaboration with other assembly members.

This was the admiringly daring story of the girl who was married off when she was eight. She managed to walk past all her troubles at her own will and strength, and today, she is remembered for everything she has contributed to India and its women.

Women have never had it easy, from fighting patriarchal prejudices to misogyny, everything starts at an age so young it’s almost unbelievable. Thanks to this formidable woman who has inspired many others to step their game up and be fearlessly alive as they are.

The Iron Lady of India

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