The ‘Devi and Dasi’ Dichotomy: Feminist Interpretations of Gender, Caste and Power in Indian Society

Abstract

This paper aims to explore the conflicting concepts of Devi and Dasi within the Indian cultural and religious context, while critically examining how feminist scholars have addressed and confronted these dichotomous images of women. The Devi-Dasi dichotomy, which positions women either as goddess-like figures (Devi) or as submissive, labouring objects (Dasi), displays the deep-rooted social hierarchies that intersect with caste, class and gender. Drawing from historical and contemporary examples, including figures like Meera Bai and Akka Mahadevi, this study examined how women in Indian society have navigated, resisted, and redefined these restrictive identities. The study used an interdisciplinary style, intersecting feminist lens, ethnography and literature to explore how the Devi-Dasi dichotomy is rooted in our socio-cultural and religious narratives. The paper investigated the historical roots of these constructs, exploring how they have been perpetuated through texts, rituals, and social practices, while also highlighting feminist critiques that propose more complex, layered portrayals of women’s identities. The study contributes to the ongoing discourse around gender, caste and power in Indian society, showing how feminist perspectives provide critical tools for dismantling these long-standing binaries.