The Position of Women in Hindu Civilisation, from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day c14.s2.16

c14.s2.16

In his *Pūrva Mīmāsā*, VII, 6, 14, Jaimini recognises the right of the wife to hold property. He is, however, probably referring to wives with husbands living, who alone were eligible to perform sacrifices according to him. It does not seem that Jaimini was inclined to recognise the widow as an heir to her husband. *Vishṇusmṛiti* would therefore be the first work to recognise this right, as stated in the text above.