The Cambridge History of India, Vol. I: Ancient India v1.c21.65

v1.c21.65

Taxes and inheritance form the chief subjects of civil law, together with the vexed question of the status of women. Women may not on their own account offer either the Vedic Çrauta sacrifices or the Gṛihya sacrifices. A woman is ‘not independent’ (Baudh., II, 2, 3, 44; Gaut., XVIII, 1), either in respect of sacrifice or of inheritance. Widows, if sonless, are expected to bear sons by the levirate marriage (Baudh., II, 2, 4, 9). Suttee is not acknowledged. Women are property and come under the general rule: ‘A pledge, a boundary, the property of minors, an open or sealed deposit, women, the property of a king or of a learned priest are not lost by being enjoyed by others’ (Vas., XVI, 18).