The Position of Women in Hindu Civilisation, from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day c11.s2.2

c11.s2.2

Three or four lines were open to women. The teaching career was the most common. This is quite clear from the coining of a separate word to distinguish a lady teacher from a teacher’s wife. The latter was by courtesy called ‘Āchāryāṇī,’ but if a woman was herself a teacher, she was to be designated ‘Āchāryā.’ As we have already shown, some of these lady teachers would specialise even in abstruse and difficult branches like theology and philosophy. Lady teachers teaching grammar, poetry and literature must have been more common. It is not improbable that among their pupils, occasionaly there may have been male students as well. Some of the lady teachers were remarkable for their eloquence and depth.