Question

State the position of women in rajput society.

Answer 1

Along-with the invasion of the country by the Muslims, the position of women declined further. The Muslim period witnessed several indicators of low status of women, particularly the Hindu women. The child marriage became a rule to safeguard the chastity and honour of the girls. In many cases the Hindu girls were given in marriage before the age of nine or ten. This clearly indicated that the Hindu girls were denied education.

Polygamy and ‘purdah’ system were ‘practiced during the Muslim period. Women were restrained through the ‘purdah’ system and the movement outside the home was checked. Thus the purdah system affected their education. It also made women dependent on men for external work.

Polygamy was very commonly practiced among the higher class Hindus. The Hindu widow spent her days in the most pathetic condition. The practice of child marriage resulted in rapid increase in the number of child widows. The death of a woman was preferred to her falling into evil hands. The practice of ‘Sati’ was encouraged and the widows who did not perform ‘Sati’ were looked down upon by the society.