Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v2.c20.s2.2

v2.c20.s2.2

The earliest historical evidence seems to confirm the dictates of Manu. In the times of Megasthenes, the care of the king's person was entrusted to women.¹ The tradition of entertaining women in royal service continued in the days of Harshavardhana. Bāṇa gives us a detailed description of women who served as porters, royal attendants, lute-players and shampooing attendants in the royal palace.² He also tells us how women served in military camps. "Loving pairs", says Bāṇa, "were roused from sleep by the tramp of the women of the watch".³ But in the matter of performing household duties, the Queen herself set an example. In the course of his description Bāṇa speaks of Queen Yaśōvati, who is pregnant, thus: "Her household duties she had scarce strength to command, not to speak of performing them".⁴ The princesses who were thus versed in the art of domestic economy were also trained in singing, dancing, and other accomplishments. Rājyaśrī grew up amidst such an atmosphere of enlightenment.¹