The Position of Women in Hindu Civilisation, from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day c13.12

c13.12

Apart from the rather exceptional cases, referred to above, which really reflect the state of society in prehistoric times, there is no evidence of women being regarded as chattel in ancient India. The Dharmaśāstra writers of the first and the second centuries A. D., leave no scope for an enterprising husband to utilise the results of his research in prehistoric social customs and institutions to the disadvantage of his consort; they have definitely declared that women and children cannot be objects of gift or sale under any circumstances¹.