Women Education in Colonial Bengal: Retrospection

Modern education came to Bengal though the East India Company. The missionaries also landed up for proselytising activities. They were perturbed by the backwardness of the Indian society especially the plights of women. The people of Bengal came in touch with the western ideas as Calcutta was made the capital of colonial India. The influence of liberalism and modern education brought in by the Britishers transformed a section of Bengal society. Bengal became the cradle of social reforms. The outcome of missionary’s activities and reforms brought by social reformers opened the gate of educational institution for the women. Though the conservative and orthodox Bengal society did not allow female education initially, gradually female education gained momentum and took steps in the right direction. Commissions constituted by the Britishers also facilitated the progress of female education. An attempt has been made to retrospect the situation of female education in colonial Bengal.