Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v2.c20.s1.32

v2.c20.s1.32

Alone among the classical canonists, Kauṭilya seems to advocate equality of women and men in legal matters, at least as regards the question of punishment. This is apparent in the following passage in the Arthaśāstra: "Women, when twelve years old, attain their majority and men when sixteen years old. If after attaining their majority, they prove disobedient to lawful authority, women shall be fined fifteen paṇas and men, twice the amount".¹