THE INDIAN LEGACY OF POWERFUL WOMENA presentation by the students of Billabong High International School

YEAR: 1205

Razia Sultan• .

Trained to lead armies and administer kingdoms since childhood, Razia Sultan was the first female ruler to rule India.

She was a highly efficient monarch and was responsible for setting up proper law and order in the empire. Being a patron of the learned, she established schools and acedemiesfor the study of science, philosophy, literature, etc. from all cultures.

She refused to be called “Sultana” because it meant “wife or consort of a Sultan”. Throughout her rein, she would answer only to the title “Sultan”.

YEAR: 1825

Rani Lakshmibai

Warrior queen Rani Lakshmibai led the rebellion against the British in the mid-1800s with her army.

During her time, she was labelled by the British as “the most dangerous of all Indian leaders”.

She was martyred and has since become a national heroine and an icon of both Indian patriotism as well as female strength in popular culture.

YEAR: 1900

Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit

Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit was the first woman to to be the President of the United Nations General Assembly.

She was also the first Indian woman to hold cabinet post.

She was elected to the Constituent Assembly from the United Provinces; and was India’s ambassador to the Soviet Union, USA, Mexico, Ireland and Spain.

YEAR: 1915

Sarojini Naidu

Sarojini Naidu was a poet, feminist, and one of the most significant freedom fighters during India’s struggle against the British.

She was the head of the Indian National Congress, and she used her literature as a means to incite pride and patriotism among Indians and encourage them to fight for their nation. This led to her being given the title “The Nightingale of India”.

Sarojini Naidu is remembered till this day for her razor- sharp intellect and is celebrated through her poetry.

YEAR: 1980

Indira Gandhi

Indira Gandhi was the first and so far only female Prime Minister of India. She was a central figure of the Indian National Congress party.

As a Prime Minister she was known for her political ruthlessness and for increasing India’s influence to the point where it became the regional hegemon of South Asia.

She was assassinated in 1984 by her bodyguards.

YEAR: 2015

Indra Nooyi

Indra Nooyi is the Chairperson and CEO of PepsiCo, the second largest food and beverage business in the world by net revenue.

She has consistently ranked among the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women.In 2014, she was ranked 13 in the list of Forbes World’s 100 Most Powerful Women.

She is also the chairwoman of the U.S-India Business Council.

Through most of history, the world has indeed been a tough place for women, but women have repeatedly proven to the world that they are tougher. More than anything else, this project is a salute to the undying female spirit of perseverance, strength and resilience. We cherish you and we honour you.