University Publications

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://ir.nbu.ac.in/handle/123456789/2863

Browse

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 10 of 25
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Women and Health Care System in Darjeeling & Jalpaiguri during 19th And 20th Century
    (University of North Bengal, 2023-03) Roy Choudhury, Sumita
    Health itself is a very broad aspect that cannot be defined within a certain periphery and women and their health care system in Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri in the 19th and 20th centuries is certainly a challenging one. Locationally, strategically, and climate both the district lies in different situations but common diseases were spread in large areas. Most of the indigenous people were used to the indigenous treatment in the absence of modern facilities. Thus, the British used to utter the advancement of Western medicine to justify the British rule in India. As women were in a weaker position so British used to uphold their situation by introducing different programs with great enthusiasm not just to show their kindness to the indigenous women but to prove the advancement of Western medicines. They focused on female education, sanitation, nursing courses for females, etc. which all helped to reduce the death rate of infantry.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    The Journey between Two Lands: A Study of the Indo- Bangladesh Women Migration with Special Reference to Jalpaiguri District
    (University of North Bengal, 2023-03) Rakshit, Srija
    The work, women in border area, the author wishes to highlight the ethnographic compilation on the complex interrelationship between gender and political borders in South Asia, particularly in the major areas of Jalpaiguri districts of West Bengal which shares it’s border with the country of Bangladesh. The author attempts to examine the stories of women whose lives are intertwined with borders, who are its markers and who resist everyday violence in all its myriad forms. The borders become zones, where the power and control of one state ends and the other begins. The result is the startling revelation that women not only live on the borders, but in many ways, they form them and are a crucial part of them. The borders become symbolic of spaces where socio-economic and political contests of inclusion and exclusion are played out every day. The work wishes to elaborate the ways in which women negotiate their differences within a state, which in the guise of being democratic, denies space to differences based on ethnicity, religion, class, or gender. Borders become hostile zones of widespread aggression, where masculinity is privileged. It shows how most of the traditional efforts made to make geopolitical regions more secure, are nothing but attempts to privilege a masculine definition of security that only results in feminine insecurities. The India–Bangladesh border is negotiated and reproduced in the everyday spaces of people living in the borderland that is often overlooked by the usual representation of geopolitical nationalism and hard realities of the barbed wire.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Dissent and Articulation: Women’s Voices in the Kathāsaritsāgara
    (University of North Bengal, 2024) Salomi Rai
    One of the significant problems pertaining to women as agents of history is the deliberate silencing of their voices by the dominant patriarchal order. This voicelessness reduces them to being an ‘inarticulate’ persona, subsequently making them largely invisible in the historical records. The search for women’s voices, therefore, is a means of empowerment that represents a vital aspect of feminist theory and practices since the 1960s. Notwithstanding the rigorous attempts to silence them, there are instances of several exemplary women in the past who articulated against the biased societal set-up and gendered prejudices. The historical literary traditions of the Indian subcontinent are replete with references to such dissenting voices of women speaking for themselves against the patriarchal hegemony. These records of women are left hidden or neglected for a very long time, as history itself has always been male-centric, with the task of transmission and interpretation vested in men. Nevertheless, it is high time now that such voices be heard and recognized. This article thus seeks to bring out such women’s voices of dissent and articulation from Somadeva’s Kathāsaritsāgara, an eleventh-century text of Kashmir.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Forced Temperance or Self-Control? Understanding Gandhi’s idea of Prohibition and Its Relevance in Post-Independent India
    (University of North Bengal, 2024) Mondal, Amrita
    The Gandhian anti-liquor movement imprinted a long-lasting legacy on the Indian psyche. Despite the ingrained legacy of the Gandhian movement, alcoholism has become a major social problem. In independent India, several states implemented prohibition, but it was mostly unsuccessful because, on the one hand, the prohibition movement became a populist rather than a policy intervention to curb alcoholism, and on the other hand, the anti-liquor movements continued with their schematic assumption that complete prohibition is a foolproof solution to the existing liquor menace. However, the recurring issue of drinking and prohibition remains an unsolved social problem and a contentious issue that needs an informed and constructive debate. The present paper intervenes in the debate by exploring the Gandhian idea of temperance and tracing its relevance in the present scenario.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Educational Scenario of Tribal Women in Dooars and Terai
    (University of North Bengal, 2024-12) Roy, Purnima
    In Dooars and Terai of North Bengal, Adivasi women have been suffering from illiteracy due to lack of proper education. The article focuses on the status and condition of their educational scenario and the hurdles faced by them in doing so. It is surveyed that the maximum number of women in tribal families are engaged mainly in tea garden. It also looked that they do not have interest in education and the Government facilities are not sufficient too to support their society. So, the gap between the general communities and the Scheduled Tribes in Dooars and Terai region in terms of low literacy may be attributed to different issues and the tribes remain illiterate in comparison to other societies.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Unearthing the Silent Narratives of Women of Darjeeling in Colonial Photography (1835-1947)
    (University of North Bengal, 2024-12) Sarkar, Sourav
    Photography, introduced to India shortly after its European invention, became a pivotal tool in documenting and shaping colonial life. In Darjeeling, amidst the scenic eastern Himalayas, photography captured the region's exotic appeal and socio-economic changes under British rule. This article explores the visual representation of women in colonial Darjeeling, revealing how photographs perpetuated imperialist ideologies while offering insights into women's lives and agency. By examining images of women tea plantation workers, local elites, and everyday individuals, this study highlights how photography both reflected and constructed colonial experiences, reinforcing stereotypes and justifying British rule through narratives of primitiveness and the need for a civilizing influence. Despite many exploitative depictions, some photographs also showcase women's resilience and contributions to the colonial economy and society. This research underscores photography's importance as a historical document and medium of expression, providing valuable insights into the gendered dynamics of colonialism and the broader imperialist project in Darjeeling. Through these lens, we better understand the interplay between power, representation, and identity in colonial India, appreciating the multifaceted role of women in shaping and being shaped by the visual culture of the time.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Understanding the Status of Matua Women in 20th and 21st Centuries in Bengal
    (University of North Bengal, 2024-12) Goldar, Sanchayeeta
    The Matua community primarily comprised of lower caste individuals from East Bengal (now Bangladesh) were united under the leadership of Sri Sri Hari Chand Thakur as part of an anti-caste religious movement. His son Guru Chand Thakur, later strengthened this movement, focusing on truth, purity of character, and gender equality. He emphasized on education, self-reliance, and societal respect for the community, who historically suffered from caste-based untouchability and forced migration due to communal conflicts. This present paper will analyse the contemporary socio-cultural and economic conditions of Matua women in Bengal. It highlights the significant role of ‘Matri Sena’, an independent women’s organization within the Matua fold, which underscores the commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment. Despite progress in education and reduced discrimination, Matua women still face economic challenges and societal stereotypes. This study explores their ongoing struggles and efforts to improve their status, reflecting on the broader implications for social justice and gender equality within marginalized communities.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Women and contemporary politics during the times of Babur and Humayun
    (University of Northe Bengal, 2024-12) Roy, Varun Kumar
    The historical narrative of Babur and his family underscores the pivotal yet often underappreciated role of women in the political arena of the Mughal dynasty. Ehsan Daulat Begam's exemplary leadership during Babur's formative years not only safeguarded his claim to power but also demonstrated the significant influence women could wield within a patriarchal framework. Her ability to navigate complex political challenges and maintain stability in the court reflects a broader theme of women's active participation in governance during this era, countering prevalent stereotypes of female passivity. Moreover, figures such as Mahim Begam and Bibi Mubarika illustrate how women were not just supportive figures but key players in the shaping of political strategies and alliances. Their involvement in military campaigns, diplomatic relations, and the management of the household highlights the multifaceted roles women occupied, significantly influencing the direction and consolidation of Babur's rule and, by extension, the Mughal Empire. The contributions of these women extend beyond their immediate context, resonating through generations and impacting the political landscape of their time. Their legacies serve as a reminder of the essential need to reassess historical narratives, recognizing and valuing the instrumental roles women have played in shaping history. This nuanced understanding enriches our comprehension of the socio-political dynamics of the past and emphasizes the importance of inclusivity in historical discourse. Thus, the accounts of Babur’s family indeed reflect not only the complexities of power dynamics within their immediate context but also the enduring capacity of women to influence and determine the course of history, challenging the traditional paradigms of leadership and authority.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Feminist Philosophy of Art
    (University of North Bengal, 2023-12) Saha, Subham
    The feminist philosophy of art is concerned with how feminist issues are involved in aesthetics. Like feminism, feminist aesthetics show how women are objectified in art. This article will show how and why women are depicted in an objectified manner in the traditional art canon and how feminist artists react against this.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Indigenous Women and their Tenacious Strive for Forest Rights - An Indian Perspective
    (University of North Bengal, 2024) Rai, Ashima
    In the forestry systems of developing countries, distinct roles are often assumed by men and women. However, women frequently encounter systemic disadvantages stemming from cultural norms, socioeconomic barriers, and institutional biases that restrict their access to and control over forest resources and related economic benefits. Despite their essential contributions to the sustainable use and preservation of forest ecosystems, women’s roles continue to be underrecognized and undervalued. Policies and legal frameworks that govern land and forest management, which disregard gender dynamics and fail to adopt a rights-based perspective, risk perpetuating the legal and social marginalization of women. Such gender-blind approaches exclude women from decision-making processes and deny them fair access to the advantages derived from forest and land resources. This paper critically analyes current legal provisions, particularly focusing on India’s Forest Rights Act of 2006, to investigate how existing forest governance structures adversely affect lowincome populations, especially women. It also proposes targeted reforms designed to strengthen gender equity, enhance women's rights, and promote both social justice and ecological integrity within India’s forest management practices.