Sexism persists globally, requiring ongoing efforts for its elimination. Despite making progresses, contemporary challenges persist, namely the objectification of women in conflict, the gender pay gap and the neglect of men’s mental health due to ingrained stereotypes. As more amends and more awareness is spread with time, we believe that sexism was worst in ancient civilizations which is a common misconception.
In this essay, we explore the status of women in ancient India across different periods to unravel the complexities of their historical narrative.
Harappan / Indus Valley Civilisation (2500–1700 BCE)
A civilisation that existed from 2500- 1700 BCE is said to be one of most elaborate civilisations at it’s time. It’s one of the earliest civilisations recorded to date along with Mesopotamia and Egypt. Harappan civilisation relied on agriculture due to the fertile soil that the Indus river created. The civilisation had a proper drainage system, sanitation system and defined architecture. people indulged in commerce through the sea route that connected them, Harappans imported raw materials and then redistributed finished goods, they had large granaries to store all suggest that there was an administrative entity in place. It’s also one of the only civilisations where temples don’t exist , which suggests that kings or clerical power didn’t exist either.
Through craft and art that existed, we can reconstruct and learn how society could have existed. According to the architecture we see houses of all different sizes , suggesting some social hierarchy. Numerous toys that were found conveyed that society recognized the significance of family life to a major extent . With regards to gender equality, tons of artefacts of female figurines have been excavated that suggest that women were given a goddess like status, and that such goddesses played a central role. ” the dancing girl” being one of the most famous Harappan figurine shows a young girl posing very confidently . Even Hairstyles, and ornaments worn by women at the time suggested their prominence and importance .
Rigvedic period (1500 BC-1000)
After the decline of Harappan Civilisation, came the Vedic period, the evidence of which is the earliest of the four Vedas called Rigveda. Rigveda was orally hand down generation to generation for centuries , until it was finally written down. In this period, society was mostly egalitarian, even if social differentiation existed, it was not rigid and set in stone like the Caste system derived from the four varnas we know. In ancient India, through patriarchal system was highly prevalent - all male domination -women are enjoyed a position of respect and reverence .
The Rigveda provides ample evidence to prove the concept of equality of women with men as regards access and capacity to acquire the highest knowledge, even the absolute knowledge. Many of the Vedic rishies were women. The Rigveda identifies many women rishies; indeed, it contains dozens of verses accredited to the women philosophers Ghosha and to the great Maitreyi, who rejected half her husband Yajnavalkya‟s wealth in favour of spiritual knowledge .
Picture of ancient philosopher Maitreyi”The home has, verily, its foundation in the wife”-The Rig Veda. Therefore women were an integral part and had position in their family unit. Vedic society deemed the birth of a girl child as the incarnation of the goddess, and that is why the family and society was never restrictive for their education . The girls were free to choose their groom either by choice or through ‘Swayamver.’ Pre-puberty marriages were given a chance to select their partners.
Instances of love marriage were also there. There is another example from Rigveda about the Dharma powers for a married woman, which says,”O, women! These mantras are given to you equally(as to men). May your thought to be harmonious. May your assemble lies be open to all without discriminations. Your mind and consciousness should be harmonious.”
Vedic Period - Late Vedic period
The status of women is said to fell in this era. The position of women gradually deteriorated as the Vedic ideals of unity and equality began to fade off through with time. Women couldn’t enjoy the same rights as men now. Though the women participated in each family ceremony with men, but they only played a role as silent observer, not an active person. Women started being discriminated on the ground of education and others rights.
Within the Indian society, practices such as, giving away daughters in marriage and sending them to their marital homes after marriage is one of the most common aspects that are related to women. It was believed that the birth of girls would prove to be a major hindrance within the course of bringing about welfare of the family and community. Whereas, the male children were regarded as assets. There was prevalence of the viewpoint among the individuals that males would be the assets and enhance the status and promote welfare of their family and the entire community (Mohapatra, 2015).
Mauryan Empire
It was an empire that was based in Magadha, during the Iron age. It was founded by Chandra gupta Maurya. It was in the wake of Death of Alexander The Great, that the Mauryan empire conquered the Punjab region. Chandra gupta maurya’s son, Bindusara captured more land and exercised great military force. This success is credited to Chanakya, who was a chief advisor to both Bindusara and Chandragupta Maurya.
In Arthshaastra, there are laws that for the protection of women from injustices. According to Greek writer Megasthenes , that women in ancient India would carry weapons with them. Women would accompany the king in hunts on horseback and elephants. But the status of these women if they were slaves, or upper castes were unknown. Women also had certain property rights according to arthshastra. Though the kings employed female bodyguards and spies ‘Striadhyaksha mahamatras’, their status was still quite bad. During this period men were polygamous and widow burning was an accepted norm. Arthashastra imposed more stigmas on women as Chanakya dismissed women’s liberation and they were not free even to go elsewhere without husband’s permission.
Since Ashoka conversion to Buddhism, buddhist values were being incorporated in Mauryan society. This also led to women joining Buddhist nunneries , mostly to escape the caste system. Within Buddhism there were still many inconsistencies with their views on gender equality. Although some restrictions by the caste system on women were relaxed, social norms persisted still. One significant strand emphasizes that in terms of spiritual attainment, women and men have equal spiritual capabilities and that women not only can, but also in many cases have attained spiritual liberation. Some Theravada suttas state that it is impossible for a woman to be a bodhisattva, which is someone on their way to Buddhahood.
Gupta Empire
From the 4th to 6th centuries CE, the gupta dynasty came into power. This period is also called the ‘golden age of India’ by historians. They maintained a four fold Varna System and allowed jains and Buddhists to practise their beliefs freely , themselves being a Hindu dynasty. During the Gupta period, women’s status experienced a further decline. They experienced abuse and mistreatment from Smritishastras. Manu dictated that they would be dependent upon their fathers during the childhood stage, on husbands in youth and on sons in old age. Apart from the practices of child marriage and sati, the other aspects that imposed detrimental effects upon the status of women were prostitution and the Devadasi system. These systems became comprehensive .
Conclusion
Exploring the history of women’s status in ancient India shows that it was quite intricate and changed over time. Each era had its own characteristics, and beliefs and political situations influenced women’s lives. From a more equal society in the Rigvedic period to a decline during the Gupta Empire, there were ups and downs. The differing views within belief systems, like Buddhism, also played a role, showing that attitudes towards women were complex. Understanding these historical aspects is crucial when we think about the challenges and progress for women today.
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