Status of women in Indian society

Women are an integral part of an Indian society. In order to understand the spirit of a civilized society it is necessary to study the history of its women folk. Indian society is patriarchal society and women have been treated as subordinate and ascribed lower status to their man counterpart. In ancient times women enjoyed a position of respect and reverence and his role as a daughter, as a wife, as a mother and above all as a house maker was well defined. A change in the status of women had occurred as a sequel to the advent of Muslims in India. The social laws and customs which came to be evolved in the changed set-up of things created in them a sense of inferiority complex. The position of women as girls’ wives and widows were reduced to that of dependents and subordinates. The status of women in India has been subjected to a lot of changes over the past few millennia. Both Muslims and Hindus fell prey to the evil practices. Opportunity of receiving education was greatly restricted. After the advent of Muslims purdah was mainly confined to the rich and well to do class of both the communities. But the working class and peasant women were free from the bondage of purdah. Child marriage had become a feature of the social life. Dowry was an old custom and gradually it became rigorous. This system was prevalent more among the rich than the commoners. Divorce and remarriage were common amongst Muslims and were prohibited to Hindu women. The Hindu women had no choice to remarry; however, remarriage was common among the manial agricultural castes. Women were generally to marry through simple ritual of Chaddar-Pauna and Kareva. Sati was prevalent in almost all the parts of India. It had become a normal feature of the Hindu and Muslim society. Jauhar was popular among Hindus (especially Rajputs). However, Muslim women also adopted this custom when they found their honor in danger. Female infanticide was practiced in most parts of northern India. In some parts of India the devdasi was sexually

exploited. Polygamy was widely practiced especially among Hindu kshatrya. In many Hindu and Muslim families, entrance to the zanana areas was restricted. Prostitution was regarded as a disgrace and prostitutes lived in separate quarters usually mostly outside the city. The position of women during the Muslim regime further registered a decline. Female education was confined to the princess and the upper class ladies. People of poorer classes had very little chance of getting education. Female education did not receive equal consideration. In modern period women hardly have property rights. Nowadays the legal status of women with reference to marriage, divorce, and abortion, guardianship of children, maintenance and inheritance matrimonial property and criminal law (for the protection of women) seem to have been improved to some extent. There are different laws in the constitution to tackle these problems but in reality legal measures are not sufficient to give them justice. Still large masses of women are exploited and bear injustice. Widespread domestic violence exits all over in the society. The status is linked with their economic position, education, and political participation. They are treated as second class citizens. Women's role is taken as for granted. But the efforts of the government and the people (especially man) can encourage their capacity to fight for their rights because women are an integral part of human society.