________________
IMPACT OF RELIGION IN THE GROWTH OF FEMALE EDUCATION AMONG
THE JAIN COMMUNITY OF GUJARAT - 1850-1901
SUJATA MENON
The social and cultural history of the second half of nineteenth century attains considerable importance. During this period, wide spread developments particularly in the field of women's reforms happened. One of the significant development in this field was the emergence of modern education for women. The chief agencies instrumental in bringing the change from traditional to modern in women's education were social reformers, voluntary associations and to a certain extent Christian missionaries. Inspite of tremendous efforts put forward by these agencies, there existed large scale inhibitions towards the changes introduced in female education. This was due to the changes the new education assumed to bring in the long standing values, ethos and believes associated with women's education. In the existing female education system formal instruction in the school largely did not exist. The general belief that existed during this period in Hindu families' that on getting education a women will face misfortune", relatively conveyed the inhibitions towards female education. Contrary to this the new system was school based. However a section of the society by this time started thinking on the necessity of providing education to women. This necessity was due to two factors. First the rise in aspiration among western educated males for educated spouses. Secondly, projection of a good image of Indian women by reformists to the colonists, for whom Indian women were backward and subservient beings2.
The socio-religious factors operating within various communities thus, acted as barrier for the easy promotion of modern education to women. However among some community as that of Jains, these factors particularly religion to an extent facilititated in the growth of female education in modern form.
This paper attempts to highlight the role and contribution of Jainism - in
Jain Education International
For Personal & Private Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
