The Position of Women in Hindu Civilisation, from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day c13.47

c13.47

From about the 7th century a. d., we find a general tendency to enlarge the scope of Strīdhana. Devala is seen including maintenance and accidental gains under it¹. But it was left to Vijñāneśvara to propose most extensive additions to the scope of Strīdhana. Taking advantage of the word *ādyam* ‘etcetera’ which Yājñavalkya has used at the end of the enumeration of the usual six varieties of Strīdhana, this commentator declares that the expression in question is used in order to include the property acquired by inheritance, purchase, partition, chance, and adverse possession². This amplified definition of Strīdhana is so comprehensive that it will include every type of property in the possession of a woman, howsoever it may have been acquired by her.