Women in Indian History: The Complete Guide to Our Hall of Fame Series

Priya Khaitan
1 day ago
2 min read

From queens who led armies to the first women to earn medical degrees, vote in a mayor's chair, or hoist a flag of defiance — this is the guide to every woman featured in our Women in Indian History series, organized so you can read them in the order that makes the most sense.

Why It Matters

Most Indian history taught in schools centers on a small set of male political and military figures. Yet Indian women led armies, founded the country's first schools, argued cases in front of colonial courts, and rebuilt entire industries after independence — often against direct, physical opposition. This series exists so that history is not read as if half the population were absent from it.

Topic Overview

The women in this collection span roughly 500 years, from 16th-century warrior queens defending their kingdoms to 21st-century scientists leading India's missile programs. What connects them isn't a single era or field — it's the pattern of being told 'no' by their era, and doing the thing anyway.

Key Concepts

Pre-colonial and colonial-era resistance: queens and revolutionaries who fought foreign or unjust rule directly
Firsts in education and medicine: women who broke into professions that formally excluded them
Post-independence nation-building: reformers, administrators, and scientists who shaped the new republic
Modern trailblazers: contemporary figures in science, sport, and public service

Suggested Learning Path

1. Pre-Independence Resistance

Rani Durgavati, Kittur Chennamma, Rani Lakshmibai, Maharani Tarabai, Razia Sultana, Begum Hazrat Mahal — women who led armed or political resistance against invading or colonial power.

2. Firsts in Education and Medicine

Savitribai Phule, Anandibai Joshi, Muthulakshmi Reddi — the women who broke open formal education and medicine for Indian women.

3. Freedom Movement and Nation-Building

Aruna Asaf Ali, Sarojini Naidu, Kamladevi Chattopadhyay, Indira Gandhi — women who carried the independence movement into the machinery of the new republic.

4. Modern Trailblazers

Shakuntala Devi, Amrita Pritam, Mary Kom, Tessy Thomas, Dr Shantha, Neerja Bhanot — 20th and 21st century figures in science, sport, literature, and public service.

FAQs

Who was India's first female doctor? Anandibai Joshi was the first Indian woman to earn a medical degree, in 1886, though she died before practicing; Kadambini Ganguly, who qualified the same year, is credited as the first to actually practice medicine in India.

Who was India's first female teacher? Savitribai Phule, who co-founded India's first school for girls in 1848.

Who was India's first female mayor? Aruna Asaf Ali, elected Delhi's first Mayor in 1958.

Keep Exploring

New profiles are added to this series regularly. Join our newsletter to get each new woman's story as it's published, along with financial literacy and leadership resources for the girls and young women in your life.