The Position of Women in Hindu Civilisation, from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day c16.93

c16.93

It may be observed at the outset that no such theory is ever advanced by any authority down to about 300 B. C., when women were being properly educated in cultured families and married after they had become fairly well equipped for the family life. The decisive part which ladies like Sītā, Kaikeyī, Kuntī, and Draupadī played in the determination of momentous issues makes it quite clear that women had an effective voice even in matters of moment in earlier days. It was only when education of women declined and girls began to be married at an immature age, that the theory of the prepetual tutelage of women appeared in the field.