Position Of Women In Indian Society

Women are very important part of any society since prehistoric time and they play an important role in the development of any society. Once the societies are developed and progressed from nomadic stage to settled stage of culture then treatment of women differ a lot. While in middle east Asia and particularly after arrival of Islam women were reduced to "things" and property. There have been societies where women have been of chief of family in the same area where Islam dominates now. Similarly in European society, although they were not reduced to things or property but their position was not very strong. When it comes to Asian societies like India and China their position was much more better if we look in modern perspective. There used to be queen mother in all kingdoms and in some instances they were more powerful than kings themselves. Indian perspective is even more interesting because this have been all encompassing civilization and have seen almost all kind of changes and turmoils in its long history.

During Harappan period we find evidence that women had very important position in the life of family and society. We find proof of mother goddess and some historian say it was linked to goddess of fertility. There is some evidence which suggest that society might have been matriarchal rather than patriarchal. Now we do not have any data to prove if the society was matriarchal or not but we have strong evidence that position of women was very strong in the society. In fact at the same time or just after that we find proof of societies living in south India which were matriarchal. In fact even today we have this practice in some of the tribal groups across south India to Andman and Nicobar islands.

After Harappan period came the Vedic period in Indian sub-continents. People of Vedic culture are considered to be following the patriarchal pattern of the society. And its true also. If we consider the evidence that is available to us as of now, scholars seems to agree that it had to be this way only, because they were mostly nomads. Having said that we should not misunderstand that it was a society where women were treated badly; on the contrary they had very important part to play in the society. No yagna ( याज्ञ ) could be completed without women. Women were responsible for the household and they took all the decision within the house, and of course in consultation with their husbands. In fact as the society progressed and became more settled importance of women increased. Chances are that Aryans adopted the customs of existing civilization of Sindhu valley (and we see this happening again and again in course of our history where Indians assimilate most of the newcomers) and improved position of women in the society was result of that. In fact later Vedic period was golden era for women as far as position of women in the society is concerned. Because when we see feelings like "Janani Janma-bhoomi-scha Swargadapi Gariyasi" (जननी जन्मभूमिश्च स्वर्गादपि गरीयसी meaning "mother and motherland are greater than heaven") then definitely it points towards very good position of women in society. 

In Budhdha and Jain period we see the that position of women remained more or less same. They were allowed to participate even in monastic life. They were allowed to take sanyas and there was nothing (perhaps apart from the war) which women could not do. And foundation of this were laid in our ancient culture and texts, which emphasize so many time on the role of women for a prosperous society. Of course it was not same everywhere. Problems like "sati (furning on funeral pyre of husband)" were there in society but that was voluntary and not forced upon anybody. Dowry was there but it was not for the price of groom as it has degenerated in present system. Dowry was actually empowerment of women so that she can live in prosperity after marriage and can start her new household with resources provided by parents (since she did not have participation in paternal property). hence it was a safeguard for the position of women in the society.

Meanwhile lot many people came and went some of them settled in this country and mixed with us and thus lost individual identity. India has truly been a melting pot of culture throughout the history. Saka, Kushan, Greeks, Scythians everybody came here but position of women in the Indian society remained same.

Then came the Arabians and in 500 years starting with 712 AD they conquered whole of north India. With this women lost their position in the society. Although they were not degraded to the level of "being the property" but still they lost their freedom. Veil was introduced in the society. Slowly their freedom outside the house was also limited. Effects were so much so that when the main character of Ramayana (Lord Ram) is supposed to have said  "अपि स्वर्णमयी लङ्का न मे लक्ष्मण रोचते जननी जन्मभूमिश्च स्वर्गादपि गरीयसी" (Lakshmana, even this golden Lanka does not appeal to me, mother and motherland are greater than heaven.); writing Ramcharita in 16th Century says, "Dhol, bail, shudra, pashu, naari; ye sab tadan ke adhikari"  (Drum, animal, low castes and women, tehy all deserve to be beaten). 

After this period problem of sati became severe. Education of women vanished altogether, since women could not go outside and their status in society degraded. However in the same period and even today condition of women have been better in south India. There they got more or less equal treatment to men. That was possible because Arabian influence did not reach the south. Vijaynagar Empire stood in the way of conquest of south India. 

During British period condition of women improved in the society. Yoke of religious rule was removed. Once aagain country was under more or less secular rule. With all its shortcomings, British rule was better for women. Some of the reforms were carried out. Sati was abolished, steps were taken again towards the education of women. Slowly things started changing.

After independence in 1947 AD we gave equal rights to women, while most of the western world was still under the spell of feminism and women were fighting for their rights. Inheritance was given to them in family property in 1956. So we can say that condition is improving. It will of course take some time to remove the prejudices created in the society over thousands of years. Thanks to our deep rooted culture we still see image of goddesses in women. We love and respect them and their role in upholding the social values can not be denied. Still task is far from finished. We still have scores of cases of dowry death and female foeticide. In law we have given equal status but for society to change it will take education.