Life and Conditions of the People of Hindustan (1200–1550 A.D.) c7.s1.16

c7.s1.16

The main function of a woman, according to Hindu ideas, was to bring forth a male, and if she happened to give birth to a son, people honoured and looked after her. I have spoken of the love of children for parents. This was very real and a great consolation to the Indian mother. In other respects, the Indian woman was strictly confined to home and to domestic cares. All her dreams were concentrated on proving herself a devoted wife to her husband and in trying to please him.¹ The male, on the other hand, began to look upon her as a person of feeble brain and not to be trusted too far or in things that matter. He welcomed and appreciated her help in domestic affairs. There may have been a few exceptional women, but on the whole this estimate of the position of women holds good for Hindu society of the times.²