Life and Conditions of the People of Hindustan (1200–1550 A.D.) c7.s1.22

c7.s1.22

⁵ Compare Rawlinson, Five etc., III, 222 on ancient Persia. ‘It is particularly noticeable in the Persian sculptures and inscriptions that they carry to excess the reserve which Orientals have always maintained with regard to women. The inscriptions are wholly devoid of all references to the softer sex and the sculptures give us no representation of the female’ Compare A., 352 for the popular Persian tradition as reported in the name of Firdausi the classical Persian poet, that woman and dragon are dangerous creatures fit only to be destroyed. So that if woman could not find her way to the grave-yard, she was to be strictly confined to the four walls of a house. Compare J.H. (f. 321) for a whole chapter illustrating the vices of the female sex. She was not only weak mentally but positively wicked by nature (vide B., 245; A., 254). Compare A.H., 67 for practical wisdom. A wife was not to be trusted in matter of consequence; and if it was unavoidable to consult her, the best course was to act contrary to her advice. Compare