The Position of Women in Hindu Civilisation, from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day c13.38

c13.38

In course of time the scope of Strīdhana was enlarged. Gifts given by the husband even subsequent to the marriage were included in it. These were often extensive and would sometimes include even the whole of the husband's property. Women came to be gradually invested with full powers over the property thus conveyed to them. At the time of his impending retirement, Yājñavalkya proceeds to divide his whole property equally between his two wives. Under similar circumstances Dharmadinnā was informed by her husband that she could take away as much of his property as she liked, and retire to her parents' house (*Thg.*, 12). In both these cases the clear intention was to convey full rights of ownership to the wife over the whole of the family property.