The Position of Women in Hindu Civilisation, from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day c16.21

c16.21

This changed attitude produced a disastrous consequence on the strength and solidarity of Hindu society. Out of the thousands of women that were forcibly carried into captivity by Muslim invaders from the 11th century onwards, almost all would certainly have liked to come back to their old homes and society. But they knew that their fate was sealed once for ever, the moment they had fallen into the hands of the enemy. No return was possible; they had to adjust themselves to their captors and new surroundings. It was because of this consciousness that Kamalādevī, the queen of king Bhīma of Gujarat, when captured and forcibly married by Alla-ud-din Khilji, eventually not only reconciled herself to her lot, but urged her new husband to capture and bring her daughter to Delhi, so that she should be married to the Crown Prince. Had this unfortunate lady known that she would be accepted back in her family, she would have tried to effect her escape or avenge her wrong. We have seen already (*ante*, p. 25) how spirited Kshatriya ladies used to take revenge for the wrongs done to themselves or their families by having recourse to the sword. Not a single Rajput princess, however, among those who were forced into Muslim harems against their wish, is known to have followed their example. They did not lack in courage or military spirit ; but they knew that even if they took revenge and effected their escape, they could hope to have no honorable position in their own families and society. They had to reconcile themselves to the inevitable.