Transnational interventions into the intimate: circling around Pandita Ramabai and The Little Wives of India

Abstract

This chapter sketches the productive uncertainties and complexity of cross-cultural relationships encompassed in Dr Emily Brainerd Ryder’s activities and those of the women around Pandita Ramabai and her Mukti mission for Hindu widows and other destitute women. These cross-cultural networks were developed through the transnational circulation of written texts. Johnston maintains that missionary texts were ‘crucial to understanding cross-cultural encounters…because they illuminate the formation of a mode of mutual imbrication, between white imperial subjects. White colonial subjects, and non-white colonial subjects.’ Publications, such as Ryder’s The Little Wives of India, and Mukti Prayer Bell, emanating from Ramabai’s Mukti Mission, worked to develop transnational networks with their appeals for prayers, funds and support. Missions stand out as key arenas for cultural exchange, drawing together people who were historically and culturally different, who became entangled as they worker closely together. ‘Religious radicalization’ further generated common ground.