The Daughter of the Mountains: Women’s Vitality in Rural Himachal Pradesh

“The Daughter of the Mountains: Life of Women in Himachal” portrays the daily lives of resilient women in Himachal Pradesh’s rural areas. From early morning chores to agricultural tasks throughout the seasons, these women play crucial roles in farming, livestock care, and household management. They adeptly switch between outdoor activities in summer, like farming and fruit harvesting, to indoor tasks in winter, such as weaving and preparing for harsh weather. Despite historical challenges, including limited education and transportation, there’s a growing emphasis on education, empowering women to pursue broader aspirations while preserving their cultural heritage. The article celebrates their strength, resourcefulness, and enduring connection to their environment and traditions.

When one ventures to a new destination, the true essence of the place often eludes those who confine their exploration to its urban landscape. This sentiment holds especially true for Himachal, a region renowned for its picturesque beauty and cultural richness. While the cities and towns of Himachal offer modern amenities and bustling life, it is within the serene villages and rural heartlands that the authentic spirit of the state resides. Here, amidst the rolling hills and verdant valleys, one can uncover the enduring traditions and lifestyles that shape the daily existence of its people, particularly the resilient and industrious women of Himachal – “The Daughters of the Mountains”.

These women wake up before the sunrise. Dressed in their brightly coloured ‘Salwar Kameez’ and head scarves during summers and the traditional winter garment “Pattu” during the winters, as dawn approaches, they set out to their fields, gathering fodder for their cattle amidst the cool morning air. Upon returning, they seamlessly transition into preparing meals for their families, a task woven with the same care and dedication. Every household, regardless of size, houses some form of cattle—cows, bulls, or even sheep. These women take pride in feeding their livestock and meticulously cleaning their living spaces. The workload in a village household is equally shared by both men as well as women. The summer season marks a time of intense activity for the women within the region. With a rich tradition of agriculture, these women play a pivotal role in the cultivation and harvesting processes.

As the warmth of summer envelops the valleys, they begin the meticulous task of sowing vegetable seeds, ensuring the crops receive the right amount of water and care. Alongside this, they are deeply involved in the laborious yet essential work of plucking, packing, and transporting a variety of fruits such as apples, peaches, and plums, which are major contributors to the local economy. Through their tireless efforts, these women ensure that the fruits of their labour reach markets far and wide, thus supporting their families and communities. Their expertise extends to the fields where they skilfully cut and gather grass, a vital resource for feeding livestock. They continuously cut and bundle up heaps of grass for the coming winter as well since then they sundry the same grass to give to their cattle during the winters. This grass after being sundried is then kept outside on an approximately 12 feet long bamboo shoot and is called by various names all around Himachal somewhere a “Tuhka” and even a Grass Hill.

During the harsh winters, these women adeptly transition their work indoors, engaging in various productive activities to ensure their households run smoothly despite the freezing conditions outside. They meticulously knit warm clothing and weave the traditional garment “pattu”, a skill passed down through generations. A woman named Shakuntala Devi, a professional weaver, says that she feels so empowered when she can put food on the table for her family by selling what she has weaved.  These women, known for their industrious nature, never sit idle; alongside their indoor tasks, they continue to cultivate hardy vegetables like cauliflower, etc. The collection of wood becomes a crucial chore, as the “Tandoor”, a traditional wood-burning stove, provides much-needed warmth, around which families gather to spend the winter months.

As snow blankets the landscape, these resilient women embody the spirit of endurance and productivity, maintaining their homes and heritage even in the most challenging weather. As the harsh winter recedes and the vibrant spring emerges, the women tirelessly return to their agricultural duties, rejuvenating their land for the upcoming season. With the arrival of spring, they prepare to till the soil, a vital task that signals the renewal of prosperity. While some households have the means to invest in modern land tillers, many still rely on traditional methods, using bulls to plough their fields. The blooming flowers of spring not only symbolize the beauty of nature but also herald a season of renewed hope and economic stability for these resilient women. Their unwavering dedication ensures that the community thrives, embracing the prosperity that spring promises.

This has all been going on for a long time; a conversation with my great-grandmother (pad nani) revealed the rich history of this lifestyle. She spoke of her 19 siblings and how their father, who owned much of the village, assigned each of them tasks—from feeding cattle to cooking for labourers. She also recounted the daily trek through a narrow, rocky forest path to attend school—a journey so arduous that many of her siblings eventually dropped out, despite their father being a teacher. In the heart of India’s mountain villages, life has long been marked by simplicity and a deep connection to nature. For the women, this meant navigating the challenges of daily life with resilience and strength. 

Traditionally, the lack of transportation meant that traveling even short distances was arduous, with ropeways often being the only means of crossing treacherous terrain. Buses were a rarity, making the world beyond the village feel distant and inaccessible. However, times are changing. Today, there is a growing awareness of the importance of education, and this shift is particularly evident among women. Encouraged to pursue their studies, both girls and boys now have once unimaginable opportunities. Education has become a beacon of hope, empowering women to dream beyond the confines of their villages while still cherishing their cultural roots.

Freya Thakur is a student pursuing English Literature from Jamia Millia Islamia.

Edited by: Sana Faiz