Early Urdu Woman Novelistis Social Consciousness

Abstract

After 1857, a transformative revolution unfurled within the annals of Urdu literature. With the cessation of the British East India Company's rule, the British government appointed a Governor-General to oversee and govern the Indian populace, precipitating sweeping changes across the social, economic, and political landscape of the subcontinent. This heralded a significant shift in the literary predilections and inclinations of India. A notable emergence during this epoch was the advent of the Urdu novel, marking a pivotal augmentation in Urdu literary tradition. Deputy Nazir Ahmad spearheaded this movement by penning narratives that bore the appellation of novels, thereby delving into the societal milieu and endeavoring to redress entrenched social maladies, particularly those afflicting women. In an era where female participation in social activities was severely curtailed, and their role on social platforms was virtually non-existent, Deputy Nazir Ahmad’s narratives illuminated the struggles and aspirations of women. Rasheed un Nisa, distinguished as the foremost female novelist in Urdu literature, embarked on her literary journey in 1881, although her seminal work wasn't published until 1984. She harbored a profound concern for the plight of women in the subcontinent, employing her novels as conduits to instigate social consciousness among her female counterparts. Subsequently, luminaries such as Mohammadi Begum and Nazear Sajad Haider followed suit, contributing to the burgeoning corpus of social novels. These pioneering women writers played an instrumental role in fostering social awareness and garnered acclaim for their efforts. Their narratives, revered as quintessential social novels, not only elucidated the challenges faced by women but also served as beacons of inspiration, paving the way for subsequent generations of women to assume proactive roles in society.