Educational Administration: Theory and Practice

Swarnakumari Devi, one of the earliest women intellectuals of modern Bengal, occupies a significant place in the history of Indian feminism and literary thought. This research paper attempts to explore her philosophy of life and feminist consciousness as reflected in three of her notable works—Chinnamukul, Snehalata Ba Palita, and “Kahake?”. Through these texts, Swarnakumari Devi presents a progressive vision of womanhood grounded in self-respect, education, emotional independence, and ethical strength. Her female characters are not merely passive sufferers; rather, they emerge as thoughtful individuals who question social injustice, patriarchal domination, and restrictive gender roles. In Chinnamukul, the condition of women trapped within conservative social norms is portrayed with deep psychological insight. Snehalata Ba Palita highlights the internal conflict of women torn between personal desire and social duty, while “Kahake?” critically examines women’s identity and emotional autonomy within marriage. Across these narratives, Swarnakumari Devi advocates moral courage, intellectual growth, and social responsibility as the true foundations of women’s liberation. This paper argues that Swarnakumari Devi’s feminism is neither radical nor confrontational, but deeply humanistic and reformative. Her philosophy of life emphasizes harmony between individual freedom and social ethics. By analyzing these three texts, this study establishes Swarnakumari Devi as a pioneer of early feminist thought in Bengali literature who paved the way for later women writers and social reformers in India.