Besides the ongoing freedom struggle in the 1900s, Assam was also witnessing revolutionary developments regarding women’s rights and education. While the country grappled with partition, segregation, caste, and religious atrocities, there was an issue that was often overlooked: the issue of women’s rights and the need to give voice to their perspectives. The situation was so dire that young girls were prevented from even receiving basic primary education.

Chandraprabha Saikiani was born on March 16, 1901, in the village of Doisingari in the Kamrup district of Assam. She was the daughter of Ratiram Mazumdar, the village headman. Educated up to the primary level, Ratiram strongly encouraged his daughters to pursue schooling at the local MV school. Chandraprabha and her sister had to attend the boys’ school as there was no school for girls in their village. The lack of educational opportunities for girls deeply troubled Chandraprabha and motivated her to address this issue.

At the tender age of 13, she established a school under a thatched roof in Akaya village, exclusively for girls. She would first travel some distance to attend the boys’ school and then return to her village to teach the girls everything she had learned. Her noble work did not go unnoticed by Nilakanta Barua, the school inspector. He was struck by Chandraprabha’s enthusiasm and commitment. His astonishment knew no bounds when he saw her pursuing her own studies while simultaneously ensuring that she shared her education with other girls. In due course, she and her younger sister, Rajaniprabha, were awarded scholarships to study at the Nagaon Mission School. Interestingly, Rajaniprabha went on to become the first female doctor from Assam.

While studying at the Nagaon Mission School, Chandraprabha became aware of the stark differences between Hindu and Christian students. She was shocked to witness the forced conversions being carried out by Christian missionaries. In fact, the girls were not allowed to stay in the hostel unless they converted to Christianity. Chandraprabha bravely raised her voice against this and fought with the authorities to allow girls of all religions to stay in the hostel without converting.

Her inherent enthusiasm and fearless attitude became evident when, at the age of seventeen, she addressed a large gathering to demand a ban on opium, an addiction that was devastating her state. She also fought against caste-related and social evils. Disregarding discrimination based on caste, gender, or religion, she opened the Hajo Hayagriva Madhava temple to all people.

Chandraprabha was so inspired by the teachings of the Assamese Vaishnava saint, Srimanta Sankardeva, that she fought against all forms of misconduct. In 1921, she became a participant in the Non-Cooperation Movement and organized the women of Assam to do the same. This eventually led to the formation of the Assam Provincial Women’s Committee in 1926, which aimed to address women-centric issues and highlight the importance of education, the prevention of child marriage, and employment opportunities for women. She also emphasized the importance of handloom and handicrafts. This was the first organized women’s movement in Assam, and its ideals are still followed today.

Chandraprabha went on to become a successful writer. In her novel Pririvitha, she described her own life to shed light on the condition of women in Assamese society. She published several books and edited the magazine Abhijatri for seven years. In 1972, she was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India. Chandraprabha Saikiani passed away on March 13, 1972. A woman far ahead of her time, she dedicated her entire life to liberating women from the shackles of a patriarchal society.