India Feels the Effect of Woman's Forward March

1895

Dropping Old Forms

In an interesting article lately written Mrs. Ernest Hart says: "I had the pleasure of meeting a large number of Brahmo-Somaj ladies in Calcutta and seeing a great deal of them. They are highly educated, many of the younger women having been trained in England, and some of them having passed the ordeal of university examinations. At home they live like English women.

"My husband and I were entertained at parties at their houses and I attended the service of their church on Sunday. They interested me deeply, and I sincerely trust that the acceptance of an exalted faith and a high civilization will not separate them in sympathy from their Hindu sisters, of whom they are the natural leaders in matters of reform, education and in the bettering of the position of women in India.

"In the Brahmo-Somaj church in Calcutta there is a screened gallery where sit unobserved ladies who have not yet made up their minds to 'come out' of the zenana. The step is a great one for them to take, and even when the husband and father approve, there is much hesitancy. Some women have been influenced by Christian teaching, others by the doctrines of the Monotheistic faith, but I was informed in Calcutta that every year ladies come out of the zenana and join no church. I met several of these ladies; they had a self-assertive manner which was not pleasing.

"The ladies of the Brahmo-Somaj wear a graceful dress. Over a close-fitting bodice and straight skirt, the soft silk or muslin sari hangs in folds and is gathered up on one shoulder. Out of doors a low bonnet or toque is worn, which is frequently trimmed with gold lace.

"There are a large number of native women studying medicine, midwifery and nursing in the medical schools of India. Of the two hundred and twenty- four women returned as studying for the year 1893 no less than one hundred and thirty-six are native women. Among these are eighteen Hindus, twenty-eight Bengalis, sixty-five native Christians, seven Karens, nine Burmese and one Shan." — London Queen.