To appreciate the spirit of civilization and to study the development and change in the status of women from time to time, it is necessary to review the status of women in the changing social pattern that influence the Indian society.
The …show more content…
Since education was looked upon important, they studied in Gurukulas and enjoyed high status in the society.
The evidence of women scholars like Gargi, Atreyi, Ghosa, Apala, Lopamudra etc., were accomplished in art, music, dance and even warfare. Women had the freedom to remain single as well as freedom to choose their life partners2. As regards to property rights both husband and wife were joint owner of property. And a daughter retained her right of inheritance and would substitute a son3. Vedas often used the word Dampati which characterizes both wife and husband. Since the wife has been called as root of dharma, prosperity and enjoyment, no man was allowed to perform religious duties without his wife4.
Hence, vedic period can be termed as the feminine glory in Indian history as the status of women during vedic period was based on liberty, equality and …show more content…
Social evils like Sati, Polygamy, child marriage, female infanticide and the prevention of widow remarriage arose as they were treated as chattels. Apart from that, evil of dowry seemed to have prevailed especially in Rajasthan6.
But medieval period has witnessed eminent and brilliant personalities like Chandbibi, the heroic queen of Ahmeda Nagar, Gulbadan Begum wrote Humayunama, Mumtaz Mahal excelled in cultural field, Rupmati and Padmavati brought significant changes in socio-cultural fields etc. But inspite of few brilliant women, the fact remained that there was steady deterioration in position and status of women in society that continued until the beginning of 19th Century7.
Women in British