The roots of Indian feminism can be traced to the Bhakti movement, where women challenged Brahmanical patriarchy through their songs, poems, and way of life.

● Medieval India had an atmosphere of immense discrimination, with patriarchy held in the highest regard. Hence, women sought Bhakti to move out the restricted domestic spaces and oppose patriarchy and Brahminical hegemony.

● The female poet-saints rejected traditional norms by leaving homes and families for God, who is their lover/Husband/Consort.

● They formed communities with other saints which gave rise to a “class without gender biases”.

● Some notable Women:

○ Mirabai: Devotee of Krishna, popular for her Bhajanas in Rajasthan. She denied the legitimacy of her marriage to Raja Bhojraj, even when Bhojraj died, she refused to follow widowhood norms.

○ Akkamahadevi: Devotee of Shiva, Companion of Basavanna in the Virashaiva movement. The Virashaiva movement strongly supported the equality of all human beings (against Brahmanical ideas about caste and the treatment of women). She walked out of her marriage and wandered naked to challenge the existing notion that the nakedness of females is a great threat to males.

○ Lal Ded: One of the earliest Kashmiri mystic poets. She also refused to stay confined to domestic tyranny and its power hierarchy. She left her home, broke all material ties and wandered unclothed in search of God.

○ Bahinabai: Wrote Abhangas, and portrayed the working life of women, especially in fields.

○ Andal: Only female Alvar, devotee of Vishnu.

○ Karaikkal Ammaiyar: Nayanar, devotee of Shiva.

The women of Bhakti movement greatly impacted the value system, culture and structure of Indian society in ways that are still relevant today. They stand as testimonies of the role of women in the history and culture of India.