The Position of Women in Hindu Civilisation, from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day c15.s1.81

c15.s1.81

This would show that women used to wear gaily coloured *saris* only during their maidenhood and coverture. The orthodox practice of Deccan widows to wear reddish *saris* seems to be due to the influence of the colour of the garments of Buddhist nuns. The Gujarat practice of giving black garments to the widow seems also to be a post-epic development. Like the people in the west Gujaratis held that black was the proper colour for a person in mourning and therefore for the dress of the widow, who was to be in a perpetual mourning. In Bengal and northern India, however, the old custom continues and widows still wear white plain *saris* without any borders.