Unveiling the Dual Struggles: Exploring the Intersectionality of Patriarchy, Caste, and Colonialism in Bapsi Sidhwa’s “Water”

Abstract

This study explores the intersection of patriarchy, caste, and colonial oppression in Bapsi Sidhwa’s novel Water. Using Feminist Theory and Postcolonial Theory, the research examines how caste-based hierarchies and patriarchal structures marginalize widows in colonial India. The novel presents widows as victims of social ostracization, economic deprivation, and institutionalized oppression, exposing the mechanisms through which both indigenous traditions and colonial rule sustain their subjugation. This study highlights how Sidhwa critiques both these systems while offering a nuanced portrayal of resistance, solidarity, and agency among the widows. Through an intersectional feminist analysis, the paper explores how gender, religion, and class converge to shape the lived experiences of these women and how resistance emerges despite constraints.