A Quest for Roots

We dedicate this edition to the fifteen women members of the Constituent Assembly of India. These trailblazing women played a pivotal role in shaping the Indian Constitution, particularly in safeguarding the rights of women. Their contributions ensured that the Constitution enshrined the principles of equality, justice, and non- discrimination. Some key provisions that reflect their efforts include:

Article 14: Ensures equality before the law, Article 15: Prohibits discrimination on grounds of sex, Article 16: Ensures equal opportunities in public employment, Article 21: Protects life and personal liberty. Their work laid the foundation for future generations to build upon, promoting gender equality and women's empowerment in India. May this book inspire a new generation of She leaders, thinkers, and changemakers to continue the quest for a more just and inclusive society.

This book contextualizes the experiences of women in India from the earliest recorded times to the present day. In this third edition, we present a more diverse, pan-Indian, and comprehensive collection than ever before, highlighting voices and narratives that enrich our collective understanding of women's history. Read as a single text, the stories of these women's lives form a richly varied tapestry. When each profile is placed in the whole, patterns and motifs become visible, as if many needles had worked on the quilt and covered it with beautiful designs.

We have had to rely largely on secondary sources; however, we had done our best to cross-check our facts. I would like to acknowledge the contribution of eminent scholars, Late Dr. Vidya Niwas Misra, Prof. Gerry Forbes, Dr. Rimi B Chatterjee and our esteemed members Late Rita Dalmia, Neeru Poddar and Piyashi Roychowdhury. My heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Pankaj Mittal for her prologue for this third edition.