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The Fifteen: The Lives and Times of the Women in India’s Constituent Assembly
'We are here laying down principles [of democracy] for days to come, for generations, for the nation'
In 1946, the Indian Constituent Assembly was tasked with formulating the document that would soon govern the largest democracy in the world. Among its 299 members, were 15 women.
These women were vastly different from each other—from members of royal families and the political elite to those from marginalized Dalit and Latin Christian communities; staunch Gandhians to revolutionaries; grassroots social workers to leaders of the global social order.
In this keenly researched book, Angellica Aribam and Akash Satyawali chronicle the lives of these trailblazing women—recounting the influences that shaped them, the norms they defied, and the convictions they stood for. Guided by their own life experiences, these women contributed to debates on the idea of India that resonate even today—from drafting progressive personal laws to the need for a uniform civil code, from the rights of detainees to their varied and evolving opinions on reservations.
Bringing alive the history of the Indian Constitution in rich detail, The Fifteen pays tribute to the undeniable contribution of women to the Indian republic, while reminding us we must understand the past to better shape the future.
In 1946, the Indian Constituent Assembly was tasked with formulating the document that would soon govern the largest democracy in the world. Among its 299 members, were 15 women.
These women were vastly different from each other—from members of royal families and the political elite to those from marginalized Dalit and Latin Christian communities; staunch Gandhians to revolutionaries; grassroots social workers to leaders of the global social order.
In this keenly researched book, Angellica Aribam and Akash Satyawali chronicle the lives of these trailblazing women—recounting the influences that shaped them, the norms they defied, and the convictions they stood for. Guided by their own life experiences, these women contributed to debates on the idea of India that resonate even today—from drafting progressive personal laws to the need for a uniform civil code, from the rights of detainees to their varied and evolving opinions on reservations.
Bringing alive the history of the Indian Constitution in rich detail, The Fifteen pays tribute to the undeniable contribution of women to the Indian republic, while reminding us we must understand the past to better shape the future.
- GenresHistory
379 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 26, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 7, 2026
As a tribute to the original women lawmakers and freedom fighters of India, this book is a must read for all.
Beyond that however, the book itself is a little disappointing. Well-known figures obviously occupy quite a few pages, but the lesser known ones occupy only a few. Although I agree that resources on some are far and feel, I still feel the research could have been a little deeper. The writing style itself is textbook-ish which does not take anything away from its material, making it a perfect entrypoint into the lives of these mothers of the nation for even the layman.
Beyond that however, the book itself is a little disappointing. Well-known figures obviously occupy quite a few pages, but the lesser known ones occupy only a few. Although I agree that resources on some are far and feel, I still feel the research could have been a little deeper. The writing style itself is textbook-ish which does not take anything away from its material, making it a perfect entrypoint into the lives of these mothers of the nation for even the layman.
August 28, 2026
This book should be made into a series or a movie featuring these inspiring women.
As a German reader, I sometimes found myself missing a bit of context, but nevertheless, it is a very interesting book.
My personal takeaway is that female leadership and nation-building are highly underappreciated and undervalued and by no means a “modern” development. Women have a remarkable history of engaging in social causes and influencing constitutions.
As a German reader, I sometimes found myself missing a bit of context, but nevertheless, it is a very interesting book.
My personal takeaway is that female leadership and nation-building are highly underappreciated and undervalued and by no means a “modern” development. Women have a remarkable history of engaging in social causes and influencing constitutions.
May 8, 2025
Brilliant!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews