The Position of Women in Hindu Civilisation, from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day c16.20

c16.20

From about the 13th century society began to change its attitude towards these unfortunate women and refused to admit them back. Women carried into captivity by force could no longer entertain any hope of regaining their old position in Hindu society. The advice of the Smṛitis, which recommended a contrary course, was silently brushed aside and the door of Hinduism was once for all closed to such women. The establishment of the Muslim rule in the country may have been partially responsible for this development. Under the Islamic law apostacy was punishable with death, certainly in the case of men and probably in the case of women (*E.R.E.*, Vol. I, p. 625). Under Muslim rule it was thus not an easy proposition to reclaim to Hinduism women who had been once captured and married by Muslims. It may be, however, pointed out that large parts of Rajputana and the Deccan were under nominal Muslim rule; but there is no evidence to show that Hindu society there was willing to readmit violated women. New notions of purity were mainly responsible for the refusal of society to admit back such women, though the course was clearly recommended by earlier Smṛitis.