The Flight of the ‘Caged Bird’: An Autobiography of Rassundari Devi in Nineteenth-Century Colonial India

Abstract

This paper examines Amar Jiban, the autobiography of Rassundari Devi, one of the earliest autobiographies written by an Indian woman. It highlights the challenges faced by women in 19th-century colonial India, particularly the denial of literacy and autonomy. Despite being illiterate initially, Rassundari secretly learned to read and write, making her work both a feminist milestone and a literary achievement. The study emphasizes her acts of resistance—learning, writing, and entering the public sphere—as key transgressions against patriarchal norms, while also showcasing her resilience and enduring relevance.