#Review: Forgotten Feminisms by Sindhu Rajasekaran

What I particularly enjoyed about Forgotten Feminisms is how it challenges the familiar way we tell the story of women’s struggles. Rather than presenting feminism as a movement that began in the West and gradually reached the rest of the world, the book turns its attention to women whose stories have been overlooked, misrepresented, or conveniently left out of history.

One of its strongest aspects is its willingness to question established narratives. From ancient Indian societies and the position of women in early religious traditions to colonialism, Victorian morality, and women who challenged patriarchal structures, the book explores how women’s experiences have been shaped by power, culture, and historical circumstances. The discussion of colonial attitudes towards Indian women is particularly thought-provoking, revealing how supposedly progressive reforms often came with their own assumptions about morality and social superiority.

The writing is engaging and conversational, with the author frequently addressing the reader directly. This makes complex historical and feminist debates more accessible without stripping them of their significance. The book’s emphasis on reclaiming women’s histories is especially relevant today, when conversations about gender equality continue to raise questions about whose voices are heard and whose experiences are overlooked.

However, the book’s ambitious scope occasionally leaves room for further exploration. For instance, the discussion of women in the Indus Valley Civilisation raises fascinating questions about female figurines, fertility symbolism, and the possibility of a matriarchal society. Given that the civilisation’s script remains undeciphered, these interpretations are inherently challenging. A more detailed engagement with competing scholarly views, particularly the debate surrounding the identification of female figurines as Mother Goddess figures, would have added another layer of depth. Similarly, the discussion of colonial-era reforms could have explored more specific examples of how these interventions affected women differently across caste and class boundaries.

Nevertheless, Forgotten Feminisms is a valuable and timely read. It encourages us to question whose stories become history, whose contributions are remembered, and who gets to decide what feminism looks like. More than simply recovering forgotten women, the book asks us to reconsider the very framework through which we understand gender, power, and resistance.

Find this book here.