Discuss whether there are similarities between the status of women in the Later Vedic period and modern Indian women. To what extent are there changes? Do some beliefs and practices still continue in 21st century India?
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Answer:
Similarities between the status of women in the Later Vedic: The status of Hindu women in India has been fluctuating. It has gone through several changes during various historical stages. The Rig-Vedic society was a free society. During later Vedic, Women were deprived of the Upanayana ceremony and thereby of education. Many evil social practices, like the practice of prepuberty marriages, denial of the right of women to education and also to mate selection, etc. were imposed on women. Efforts have been taken to improve the status of women. According to India’s Constitution, women are legal citizens of the country and have equal rights with men. Because of the lack of acceptance from the male dominant society, Indian women suffer immensely. Women are responsible for bearing children, yet they are malnourished and in poor health. Most Indian women are uneducated, the constitutional dream of gender equality is miles away from becoming a reality. Even today, ‘the mainstream remains very much a male stream’. As compared to the past, the status of women in modern times has changed a lot but in reality, they have to still travel a long way.