The Position of Women in Hindu Civilisation, from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day c15.s2.15

c15.s2.15

Six of these fashions have been illustrated on the accompanying plate (See Pl. VIII), which has been prepared with the help of some of the woodcuts published by the late Dr. Rajendralal Mittra in his Indo-Aryans, Vol. I. A glance at the plate will show that the beauties of Orissa were not content with the quantity of hair, which nature had given to them ; they used to add some padding or stuffing or false or borrowed hair to increase its mass, so as to render the different hair-arrangements possible. Some ladies used to arrange the hair in gradually receding tiers (See Pl. VIII, A), some used to turn them up in a fantastic cone, curling and twisting upwards behind the head and kept in its position, probably by means of a wire concealed within (See Pl. VIII, B). Some used to arrnage them in two artistic bundles hanging on either side of the head (See Pl. VIII, C), while others used to add a third one perched just at the top of their crown (See Pl. VIII, D). Pearl strings were liberally used to help the hair to retain its new shape and configuration (See Pl. VIII, A, B, C, D, E). But perhaps the most interesting fashion is the one illustrated by Pl. VIII, F. Here we find the hair arranged into six braids and then twisted up into six rays, kept into an erect position either by means of wax, or with the help of sticks or wires enclosed within. There were numerous other fashions in vogue ; they can be ascertained only from a careful study of ancient and medieval sculptures and paintings.