Abstract
Purdah, or the seclusion and segregation of women, was a cultural norm in the Indian sub-continent, amongst both Hindus and Muslims. Purdah, which begins at puberty, limits the interaction between males and females, although amongst the Muslims this taboo does not apply to males of the immediate family.1 Purdah as practised on the Indian sub-continent is basically of two kinds, one which physically confines them within the house, and the other, which allows them to move about, but only after donning a cloak-like garb which covers the whole body and face, with a net over the eyes for visibility, known as the burqa. The form and severity of purdah practised all over northern India was the same, and Punjab was no exception to this.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Notes
Hanna Papanek, ‘Purdah: Separate Worlds and Symbolic Shelter’, Comparative Studies in Society and History, XV (1973), 289.
Syed Ameer Ali, Woman in Islam ( Lahore: The Mohammadan Tract and Book Depot, Punjab, 1893 ), p. 21.
Fatima Mernissi, The Veil and the Male Elite, A Feminist Interpretation of Women’s Rights in Islam ( Reading, Massachusetts: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, Inc., 1991 ), pp. 182–3.
Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, ‘Purdah’, in Maqalat-e-Sir Syed ( Lahore: Majlise Taraqqui Adab, 1962 ), p. 186.
Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, ‘Rights of Women’, in Maqalat-e-Sir Syed, Vol. V, pp. 194–5.
Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, ‘The Condition of the Women of Hindustan’, in Maqalat-e-Sir Syed, Vol. V, p. 188.
Sarfaraz Hussain Mirza, Muslim Women’s Role in the Pakistan Movement ( Lahore: University of the Punjab, 1969 ), p. 9.
Gail Minault, ‘Hall’s Majalis un Nisa: Purdah and Woman Power in Nineteenth Century India’, in M. Israel and N. K. Wagle (eds), Islamic Society and Culture ( Delhi: Manohar, 1983 ), p. 39.
David Lelyveld, Aligarh’s First Generation ( Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1978 ), p. 41.
Muhammad Sadiq, A History of Urdu Literature ( London: Oxford University Press, 1964 ), p. 265.
Altaf Hussein Hali, ‘Chup ki Dad’, trans. Gail Minault, Voices of Silence ( New Delhi: Chanakya Publications, 1986 ), p. 141.
Abdul Hafiz, ‘Hindustani purdah or Shariah?’, Ibid., 23 February 1918, p. 129.
Abdul Hafiz, ‘Hindustani purdah or Shariah?’ Ibid., 2 March 1918, p. 140.
Sayyed Mumtaz Mi, ‘Our opinion on the issue!’, Ibid., 4 May 1918, p. 288.
Begum Sayed Humayun Mirza, ‘Debate on purdah at the All India Ladies Conference’, Ibid., 15 June 1918, p. 383.
Jan Marek, ‘Perceptions of International Politics’, in Hafeez Malik (ed.), Iqbal, Poet Philosopher of Pakistan ( New York: Columbia University Press, 1971 ), p. 159.
Doctor Sir Mohammed Iqbal, Darb-i-Kalim ( Lahore: Sheikh Ghulam Ali and Sons, 1936 ), pp. 90–6.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Copyright information
© 1998 Dushka Saiyid
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Saiyid, D. (1998). Purdah and Emancipation. In: Muslim Women of the British Punjab. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-26885-6_5
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-26885-6_5
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-349-26887-0
Online ISBN: 978-1-349-26885-6
eBook Packages: Palgrave Social & Cultural Studies CollectionSocial Sciences (R0)