Political History of Ancient India, from the Accession of Parikshit to the Extinction of the Gupta Dynasty c15.s1.19

c15.s1.19

From the references in the Edicts to Brāhmaṇas, Kaivartas (of *Kevaṭa bhoga*) and Śramaṇas, *Bhikshu* and *Bhikshuṇī-Saṁghas* it may be concluded that *Varṇa* (social gradation) and *Āśrama* (stages of socio-religious discipline) were established institutions. The position of the slaves and labouring poor in general (*dāsa*, *bhataka*) was, in some cases at any rate, not enviable. Women had to tolerate the *purdah* as well as polygamy. Ladies of the harem were under special guards (*stry-adhyaksha*). As will be seen in the following pages, the policy of Aśoka in regard to social matters was, in the main, one of mitigation and not, except in respect of certain kinds of *Samāja* and sundry obnoxious practices, of radical reform.