Ancient Indian Costume c8.s3.6

c8.s3.6

Women wore *langoti* type of drawers, the *ardhoruka*, which had evolved from the needs of modesty. This was a short strip of cloth worn around the waist with an attached piece from the centre of the waist, which was drawn up between the legs and tucked in behind. Like the *bhairnivasani* this too was an early garment originally used by women ascetics. Jain nuns wore four of these *ardhorukas* one on top of another, something like the medieval 'chastity belt'.