Women In India
The history of women in India has been subject to many immense changes over the past few millennia. From a largely unknown status in ancients’ times through the low point of medieval period, to the promotion of equals right by reformers, the history of the women in India has been full of episode.
Scholars believe that in ancient India, the women enjoyed equal status with men in all fields of life. However, some others hold contrasting views. The Vedic Period (period where the oldest sacred texts of the Indo-Aryans, were being composed) suggests that the women married at a mature age were probably free to select their husband.
However, later (approximately 500 B.C.), the status of women began to decline with the Islamic invasion of Babur and the “Mughal” empire and later Christianity curtailing women's freedom and rights. Although reformatory movements such as Jainism allowed women to be admitted to the religious order, the women in India faced confinement and restrictions.
The Indian woman's position in the society further deteriorated during the medieval period when Sati (funeral practise), child marriages and a ban on widow remarriages became part of social life. The Muslim conquest in the Indian subcontinent brought the “purdah”, (which prevents women from being seen by men) in the Indian society. In some parts, the “Devadasis” (dedicating married women to a divinity) led to women being sexually exploited.
Times later a movement called “Bhakti”, standing as many others, tried to restore women's status, and questioned some of the forms of oppression. “Bhakti’s” most important figures such as “Akka Mahadev”i, “Mirabai” etc, were fundamentals within the Hindu fold to openly advocate social justice and equality between men and women.
Traditions such as “sati” and “Devadasi” have been banned and are largely defunct in modern India. However, some cases of these practices are still found in remote parts of India. The purdah is still practiced by many Indian women, and child marriage remains prevalent despite it being an illegal practice, especially under current Indian laws.
Finally, after the invasion of the British, Indian women played an important part in India's independence struggle. Which made them be seen in a different angle, giving them chance to be heard. Since then they now participate in all activities such as education, politics, media, art and culture, service sectors, science and technology. Women have now not only found their place in work places but have statues in governance, they are becoming more predominant figures within the our today's society.
Yann Ariel
Hits : 182
