Carrie Chapman Catt - Diaries, India, January - February? 1912 (Box 1, Folder 5)

...women of India. Her Highness has visited Europe several times and has been in America and Japan. The forepage presents a picture of the Maharani, a sweet faced woman in native dress with the mark of her Hindu caste upon her forehead and a ring upon her bare toe. The tone is broadly international and keenly feministic. The message will reach Indian women as no word from an outsider would. The Begum of Bhopal a Mohammedan queen who rules in her own right is well known as a progressive. She has been many times to Europe and has studied Western condition with good results. She has given especial emphasis to school for girls and does not mind being...

...interviewed for the press. Some prominent English travellers had an audience with her and she told them that she believed women had more skill as rulers than men. She did not believe in votes for either men or women, but if men had them women should have the same privilege. In Madras [blank] edits a paper for Indian women which is a truth bearer to many a woman. In Calcutta there are two Parsee lady barristers, and many native doctors chiefly Parsee have been licensed. The Maharani's book states that there are 480000 money lenders in India and that 1707 are women.

Buddha said nothing about position of women. He had both men & women disciples. Nowhere is inherent wickedness in women inferred. Criminal law - some except if woman were killed less compensation would be paid.

Burma

Never federalism in Burma. Never Mohammedanized? Do not acknowledge inferiority in women. Girls had no nunneries to go to for school therefore boys better educated. Most girls can weave.

They do not sing nor play nor paint. They are neither devils nor angels. Girls & boys fall in love here. Parents give husband or wife of choice if possible.

Marry at 18 or 20. Marriage social ceremony. Sit side by side, ribbon tied around them, hands clasped & they eat from the same dish. Rich give great presents. Girls do not chang names. Nor wear a sign of marriage such as a ring or beads on neck or bracelet. Keeps her own property - all she makes or inherits is her own.

If together they buy property the deed is made to two names one the husband's the other the wife's. Absolute mistress of herself & her own no oath of obedience. Household ruled by love & consideration. Business sagacity will appear in court to act for herself or evern for her husband. She lends & borrows money sells & buys property - keeps shops. No sex antagonism - men do not steal women's honors, nor women steal men's. [Illegible] by wife. Men sew. Petty trading - nearly all retail trade in women's hands.