Ancient Indian Colonization in South-East Asia c10.85

c10.85

Generally speaking the position of a woman seems to have been much better than in India, both as regards social status and political rights. Of these we get clear evidence in Java. Javanese women could rule in their own rights and occupied high offices of State. A woman could possess property in her own name with rights to dispose of it according to her own will. There does not appear to be any *purdah* system in vogue and the women freely mixed with men. This is evident from literature as well as the present custom in Bāli. Women could choose their own husbands and there seems to be no restriction as to the degree of relationship within which marriage was prohibited. There is an actual instance of marriage with a step-sister.