History of Mediaeval Hindu India (being a History of India from 600 to 1200 A.D.) v1.c9.11

v1.c9.11

With these exceptions the condition of women was generally very good. They were well treated and well educated. Rājyaśrī was well versed in various Kalas and Śāstras and was a learned lady. Nay she was taught singing and dancing (H. E. page 197) arts which are now looked down upon as prohibited to respectable women in the Hindu society. Bāṇa's description of the dancing of the ladies of sardars and princes on the joyous occasion of the birth of Harsha is remarkable. Of course the dancing of such respectable women was different from that of public women and was not open to men to gaze at. And the dancing of men and women together did not exist as may be gathered from the fact that purdah was in force in those days and hence mixed gatherings of men and women were impossible.