In Rig Vedic India Women enjoyed high status in
society. Their condition was good.
The women were provided opportunity to
attain high intellectual and spiritual standard.
There were many women Rishika
during that period. Though monogamy was mostly common but some example
says the richer section of the society was also indulged in polygamy.
There was no sati system or early marriage.
But
from enjoying free and esteemed positions in the Rig-Vedic society, women
started being discriminated since the Later-Vedic period in education and other
rights and facilities.
We will talk about it later.
We will talk about it later.
Women’s Economic contributions were
important in ancient India society.
As India was an agricultural country, women were needed to assist the men folk in the various seasonal activities.
India has been a Nation of villages. Family was the basic unit.
Usually three generations of the family lived together in their patriarchal Home in villages except in North – East, in some area of Himachal Pradesh, in some area of South India and Malabar Coast in the southwest, where matriarchal social organization prevailed.
Poetry written by Tamil women in the south spoke of their singing while at work and with their family, and occasionally including poems on the feats of the aristocracy.
As India was an agricultural country, women were needed to assist the men folk in the various seasonal activities.
India has been a Nation of villages. Family was the basic unit.
Usually three generations of the family lived together in their patriarchal Home in villages except in North – East, in some area of Himachal Pradesh, in some area of South India and Malabar Coast in the southwest, where matriarchal social organization prevailed.
Poetry written by Tamil women in the south spoke of their singing while at work and with their family, and occasionally including poems on the feats of the aristocracy.
Animal Husbandry –
Animal Husbandry was under the work of women fellows.
The girl or daughter is also called “Duhita”; it means one who milks the Cow.
Women folk used to milk the cow that time and even today too they used to do this.
From House to Farm women helped there men counterpart and today too they are doing this and making their family economically sound.
It shows they were playing a great role in the economy and society and still they are doing this without any reference and attention.
In the whole South – East and Eastern Asia one can see women folks from farm to home.
Animal Husbandry was under the work of women fellows.
The girl or daughter is also called “Duhita”; it means one who milks the Cow.
Women folk used to milk the cow that time and even today too they used to do this.
From House to Farm women helped there men counterpart and today too they are doing this and making their family economically sound.
It shows they were playing a great role in the economy and society and still they are doing this without any reference and attention.
In the whole South – East and Eastern Asia one can see women folks from farm to home.
Culture, Education -
Courtesans were part of ancient Indian society.
They were literate. It is said they were master in Dance, Music, Courtesy, Spying, Singing, Language, Poetry, Cooking, Culture, Service, Acting etc.
They were very much respected in society, without their willingness no one dares to inter into their palace or premises.
They had their own Bodyguards, and fleet of servants. Some of them were so much graceful and respected in society that even kings sent request to meet them and it’s upon then to say “Yes” or “No”. These were known as “Nagar Vadhu” means mistress of the town.
Amarapali was one such “Nagar Vadhu” of Gantantra (Democracy) Vaishali.
Magadha king Ajatasatru (Buddha period, 600 BC) was so much hypnotized by her skills, Beauty, Grace and Dance that he loved her and attacked Vaishali Gantantra to get her.
After seeing such devastation and Blood Amarapali went to Buddha and accepted Buddhism.
As in ancient Greece, courtesans were often literate, and skilled in music and dancing besides the usual sexual services.
Regular prostitutes engaged in their trade in busy places. Later on prostitutes will come from a certain caste. Repentant courtesans sometimes went into Buddhist nunneries.
Courtesans were part of ancient Indian society.
They were literate. It is said they were master in Dance, Music, Courtesy, Spying, Singing, Language, Poetry, Cooking, Culture, Service, Acting etc.
They were very much respected in society, without their willingness no one dares to inter into their palace or premises.
They had their own Bodyguards, and fleet of servants. Some of them were so much graceful and respected in society that even kings sent request to meet them and it’s upon then to say “Yes” or “No”. These were known as “Nagar Vadhu” means mistress of the town.
Amarapali was one such “Nagar Vadhu” of Gantantra (Democracy) Vaishali.
Magadha king Ajatasatru (Buddha period, 600 BC) was so much hypnotized by her skills, Beauty, Grace and Dance that he loved her and attacked Vaishali Gantantra to get her.
After seeing such devastation and Blood Amarapali went to Buddha and accepted Buddhism.
As in ancient Greece, courtesans were often literate, and skilled in music and dancing besides the usual sexual services.
Regular prostitutes engaged in their trade in busy places. Later on prostitutes will come from a certain caste. Repentant courtesans sometimes went into Buddhist nunneries.
Ancient Women in Politics:
Women often enjoyed prominent roles in politics.
Indra’s Sachi, in epic Ramayana Ayodhya king Dasratha’s Kayakei, Ravana’s Mandodari, Bali’s Tara, Ram’s Sita was in the centre of politics of that time. Likewise epic Mahabharta’s Draupadi (known as Panchali), Pandu’s mother Kunti, king Santanu’s Satavati and many other Royal family women are best examples.
Megasthenes mentioned the Pandya women running the administration.
The Satavahana queen, “Nayanika ruled the kingdom on behalf of her minor son.
So did Pravabati, daughter of Chandragupta II, on behalf of the minor Vakataka prince.
A little after the Gupta period, queens used to rule in Kashmir, Orissa and Andhra. Princess Vijaybhattarika acted as the provincial ruler under the Chalukya King; Vikramaditya I.
Women were provincial and village administrators in the Kannada region.
Women often enjoyed prominent roles in politics.
Indra’s Sachi, in epic Ramayana Ayodhya king Dasratha’s Kayakei, Ravana’s Mandodari, Bali’s Tara, Ram’s Sita was in the centre of politics of that time. Likewise epic Mahabharta’s Draupadi (known as Panchali), Pandu’s mother Kunti, king Santanu’s Satavati and many other Royal family women are best examples.
Megasthenes mentioned the Pandya women running the administration.
The Satavahana queen, “Nayanika ruled the kingdom on behalf of her minor son.
So did Pravabati, daughter of Chandragupta II, on behalf of the minor Vakataka prince.
A little after the Gupta period, queens used to rule in Kashmir, Orissa and Andhra. Princess Vijaybhattarika acted as the provincial ruler under the Chalukya King; Vikramaditya I.
Women were provincial and village administrators in the Kannada region.
Thanks to my readers.
Happy Ending.
Happy Ending.
The End.
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