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Memoirs of an Indian Woman (Foremother Legacies)

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From a historical perspective, Mazumdar's "Memoirs" is an invaluable & rich source of information for any student of the British Raj, particularly in that it expresses not only the hybridity of Indian society at this time, torn between traditional & modern influences, it also expresses the unique viewpoint of the colonised indigneous woman. Until recently, the category of the colonised Indian woman has been ignored and hidden by Imperial history, and has been excluded from official records as an extension of this trend. Mazumdar's memoir addresses and repairs this historical imbalance, and certainly adds to and enriches the history of the British Raj, particularly from the indigenous viewpoint, awarding indigenous women more agency and, more importantly, a voice.The excellent introduction to this book by O'Hanlon will set the historical context and expand upon some of the major themes of the memoir for individuals who are not au fait with Indian history. Issues discussed include the influence of Westernsation on India,the development of the nationalist movement into a mass movement, the arrival of the Mahatma Gandhi on the Indian political scene, as well as childbirth and marriage, and the gender roles within Indian society. As a source of entertainment, the vividness of the color, smell, customs and cuisine of India contained within this memoir will serve to satisfy any palate, and makes this memoir extremely enjoyable and compulsive reading.

From a historical perspective, Mazumdar's "Memoirs" is an invaluable & rich source of information for any student of the British Raj, particularly in that it expresses not only the hybridity of Indian society at this time, torn between traditional & modern influences, it also expresses the unique viewpoint of the colonised indigneous woman. Until recently, the category of the colonised Indian woman has been ignored and hidden by Imperial history, and has been excluded from official records as an extension of this trend. Mazumdar's memoir addresses and repairs this historical imbalance, and certainly adds to and enriches the history of the British Raj, particularly from the indigenous viewpoint, awarding indigenous women more agency and, more importantly, a voice.The excellent introduction to this book by Forbes will set the historical context and expand upon some of the major themes of the memoir for individuals who are not au fait with Indian history. Issues discussed include the influence of Westernsation on India,the development of the nationalist movement into a mass movement, the arrival of the Mahatma Gandhi on the Indian political scene, as well as childbirth and marriage, and the gender roles within Indian society. As a source of entertainment, the vividness of the color, smell, customs and cuisine of India contained within this memoir will serve to satisfy any palate, and makes this memoir extremely enjoyable and compulsive reading.