India Calling: The Memories of Cornelia Sorabji, India's First Woman Barrister

by Cornelia Sorabji, Chandani Lokuge (Editor)

This is the autobiography of Cornelia Sorabji, India's first female barrister. Spanning her life from childhood to adulthood, Sorabji discusses her dedication to improving the legal and personal status of orthodox Hindu women. Dealing with colonialism and racial and cultural identity, this
book is a significant contribution to the field of women's studies.

Genres: Nonfiction

300 pages, Hardcover

First published May 10, 2001

About the author

Cornelia Sorabji (15 November 1866 – 6 July 1954) was the first female advocate from India when admitted to Allahabad High Court. She was the first female graduate from Bombay University, and in 1889 became the first woman to read law at Oxford University, and also the first Indian national to study at any British university. Later she became the first woman to practise law in India and Britain. In 2012, her bust was unveiled at Lincoln's Inn, London. Her nephew, Sir Richard Sorabji, is Professor of Philosophy at Kings College, London.

(from Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Ojasvi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gives a much-needed insight into the then lives of zanana/purdan-ridden women of India. Cornelia's journey of becoming a barrister is inspirational but the way she stands different, almost distant from the Indians and views herself more of a London-er feels discriminatory.