The Position of Women in Hindu Civilisation, from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day c15.s1.84

c15.s1.84

Women are naturally more conservative then men, and so the establishment of British rule during the last 150 years has not yet effected any revolution in their dress. They continue to use their old dress consisting of a *sari*, a bodice and a shawl, even when their husbands have begun to don suits, neckties and collars. The bodice, however, is becoming more and more artistic and fashionable. Shorts and frocks have become common among girls in urban areas, but there are yet no indications that grown up ladies would take to them in the near furture. With increasing facilities in communications women are in a better position to observe the dress prevailing in neighbouring provinces, and there is a tendency among educated and fashionable ladies to borrow some fashions current in other parts of the country. Thus the *vikachchha* mode of wearing *sari* is now becoming common among the fashionable ladies in the urban areas of the Deccan. The dress of the average Hindu women, however, still continues to be the old traditional one of her province. The *lahaṅgā* is the only exception. The main reason for this conservatism is the fact that the traditional dress is on the whole well suited for the climate of the country. Women have also not to mix much among the members of the European community like men, either for official or for social purposes ; so they do not feel the same urge as men for adopting a European or a semi-European dress.