Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, or the Central and Western Rajput States of India v2.c27.s6.28

v2.c27.s6.28

Position of Rājput Women.—Most erroneous ideas have been formed of the Hindu female from the pictures drawn by those who never left the banks of the Ganges. They are represented [642] as degraded beings, and that not one in many thousands can even read. I would ask such travellers whether they know the name of Rajput, for there are few of the lowest chieftains whose daughters are not instructed both to read and write; though the customs of the country requiring much form in epistolary writing, only the signature is made to letters. But of their intellect, and knowledge of mankind, whoever has had to converse with a Rajputni guardian of her son’s rights, must draw a very different conclusion.⁴ Though excluded by the Salic law of India from governing, they are declared to be fit regents during minority ; and the history of India is filled with anecdotes of able and valiant females in this capacity.¹