Written by Duaa Memon
October 28, 2020
As a history enthusiast, it is quite demoralizing for me to flip through dozens of history books and not witness one woman whose accomplishments were lauded. For the most part, history has been dominated by men – it is written about men, by men. Often, women’s achievements are either overlooked or simply discarded as something of peripheral significance. Some may put forth the argument that perhaps women have not done anything noteworthy enough to warrant acknowledgement, however, I argue that such a claim is purely fallacious. Although there is a plethora of women in history who have exemplary achievements, this article centers around shedding light on three rebellious women in history who have captured my attention and continue to persuade me to resist the patriarchy and fully embrace the badass woman I am.
Image source: https://www.thebetterindia.com/164676/manikarnika-jhansi-rani-history-childhood-india-news/
1. Rani of Jhansi:
The first of these women is the Rani (Queen) of Jhansi, also known as Lakshmibai. Born in 1828 as Manikarnika Tambe, Lakshmibai customarily changed her name when she became the Queen of Jhansi during the British rule in India, after marrying the King of Jhansi in 1842. Her life epitomizes the quintessential rebellion against the patriarchy. When she started to come of age, she began to train as a warrior, excelling in the art of archery, horse-riding, and sword wielding – activities that were deemed as aberrant behavior for a young woman at the time. Not only did she train herself, but she also inspired and aided other women in following her footsteps. As brave as she was, her wretched fate led her to rise to power at a time when the British, under the Doctrine of Lapse, deemed her adopted son as an ill-suited heir to the throne after the demise of the King, demanding the Rani to surrender as the British annexed Jhansi. The Queen, then only twenty-two years of age, stood her ground as she refused to cave to the British demands. After negotiation efforts failed, Lakshmibai joined the first Indian rebellion against the British as the leader of the rebellion itself, heading an entire army of men and women in mutiny against colonial rule. Lakshmibai fought as a valorous and undaunted soldier until her last breath, where she was ultimately killed in battle in 1858. Today, in Indian history and folklore, the Rani’s story remains a popular one to be passed down the generations. She is particularly admired by young girls, who honour her by dressing up as her from time to time.
Image Source: https://www.olympedegouges.eu
2. Olympe De Gouges:
Born Marie Gouze in 1748, Olympe De Gouges was a French political activist, playwright and women’s rights advocate who was met with universal acclaim for her efforts. When the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen (1789) was first introduced as the basis of human rights amid the French Revolution, it embodied the three main principles of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity. Gouges openly welcomed the document only to soon become disillusioned with it, for she witnessed the active exclusion of women, not only from the Doctrine, but the revolution itself. Despite their appreciable role in the revolution (for example, The Women’s March to Versailles in 1789), women were deemed as passive citizens of France, and therefore, deprived of political rights so that the principle of equality did not extend to women. Reckoned ‘radical’ at the time for her political ideas, Gouges responded to this by devising her own version of the Doctrine, namely, “The Declaration of the Rights of Woman and of the Female Citizen” in 1791. This rebellion by Gouges was not handled well by the ruling men, leading to her arrest and execution by Guillotine during Robespierre’s reign of terror on count of tyranny and seditious behaviour. Her execution was a means to deliver a political message to forewarn women’s rights activists to keep them in check. Despite her ruinous end, Gouges’ work went on to inspire the works of many future feminists. At the 1848 Women’s Rights Convention at Seneca Falls, the Declaration of the Rights of Woman and of the Female Citizen was embodied in the Declaration of Sentiments which stipulated women’s right to vote.
Image source: https://www.biography.com/royalty/cleopatra-vii
3. Cleopatra:
Lastly, infamous for her beauty, and more notably as the last active Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt, Cleopatra VII was one of the most distinguished monarchs of all time. Ingenious and quick-witted, Cleopatra was far ahead of her time. Fluent in over nine languages, including Hebrew, Arabic, and Koine Greek, she was also proficient in mathematics, oratory and philosophy. Cleopatra’s credibility as a ruler was demonstrated in her success in restoring stability to Egypt during a period of agonizing political turmoil, followed by an awe-spiring twenty-two-year reign marked by a flourishing economy and zero revolts. Cleopatra subsisted in exhibiting her gallantry till the end when she led a naval fleet of sixty ships during the Battle of Actium which ultimately led to her demise as ruler. Denounced by many during her lifetime and following her death, Roman propaganda painted Cleopatra as a menacing harlot who utilized sex, witchcraft and cunning as she clutched for power exceeding which was acceptable for a woman. The poet Horace, after her death, wrote the Cleopatra Ode, in which he deemed her a ‘mad woman’. Today, she stands as a popular culture icon, although, it is indeed a shame how she is reduced to a mere seductress and sex object defined by her romantic affairs as modern media turns a blind eye to her achievements.
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