Question

why were the status the women took a drastic change in the later vedic age

Answer 1

Women had a very significant position in our ancient Indian society. In fact they were superior to men. There are literary evidences to suggest that woman had power which could destroy kingdoms and mighty rulers. Veda Vyasa in Mahabharata writes how Kauravas fell because they humiliated Draupadi, the wife of Pandavas. Valmiki's Ramyana depicts the sad state of Ravana for abducting Sita Devi forcibly. The worship of Goddesses in ancient period was to inspire public to respect women. In the Vedic society women participated in religious ceremonies and assemblies. There is no evidence of isolation of women in Vedic period in domestic or social affairs, but they were affectionately dependent on their male relations throughout their lives. There were women like Matreyi, Gargi, Lopamudra, Ghosha, and Indranni who were learned souls and have put forth there thought in Upanishads.


Women had an opportunity to choose their man through a type of marriage called Swayamvara. In this type of marriage, the eligible grooms assembled at the bride's place and the bride selected her man. There are many such incidences in epics the Ramayana and Mahabharata. This continued even in the later period in royal families. Women were given more freedom as compared to now.


As the time passed the position of women underwent a drastic change in all spheres of life. In the later Vedic period, women lost their political rights of attending assemblies. Child marriages came into existence.