Compare and constant the position of women during the early and later vedic preoids
Answers
The status of woman during vedic period is a complex matter and it is likely that reality might have been some thing different.
According to available vedic literature, in early vedic age woman enjoyed a position of respect and esteem and there was a gradual decline in the status of woman in later Vedic period.
During Rig Vedic period woman occupied the same position as man in intellectual and spiritual life. The literature mentions name of some woman like Vishwavara, Apala, Ghosha who composed hymns to attain the rank of rishi. Besides scholars there were also woman warriors. Girls were given freedom to choose their husband and were married only after attaining the age of maturity.
There was no seclusion or purdah system, woman moved freely and participated in the public feasts and festivals. There is no reference of sati (burning of widows) and practice niyoga (married to any of the brother of dead husband).
After all the rights bestowed upon woman it is important to note that woman did not have equal rights as man in social and legal aspects. They did not posses the right to hold property.
During after vedic period there was a gradual decline in the status of woman. Priests began to perform many of the religious ceremonies formerly done by wife. The participation of woman in assemblies and pubic gathering was also restricted.
The birth of daughter in the family began to be looked down upon. The system of dowry also came into practise.
According to Satapatha Brahmana, Maitryayni and others (later Vedic text) an ideal woman is the one who dines after her husband and bracketed woman with dice and wine as the three main evils of the society. Texts also advocated marriage of girl before puberty and laid numerous restrictions on woman with regards to marriage, education, inheritance etc. These factors gradually led to the decline in the status of woman during the subsequent period.