Life and Conditions of the People of Hindustan (1200–1550 A.D.) c7.s4.t1.22

c7.s4.t1.22

1. Hindu Women.—The woman was treated with special respect in a Hindu home. If she was a mother, she was marked out for special devotion, as we have already mentioned. For instance, before setting out on an errand, the Hindu would not forget to bow at the feet of his mother and ask for her blessing.² It is difficult for a Hindu to remember his mother without being deeply moved by it. The relations between the husband and the wife were somewhat formal though sweet and delicate. On occasions of deep emotion the wife rubbed her forehead or her eyes against the feet of her husband to show her feelings of devotion. The husband replied by an equally tender kiss on her forehead. Beyond these limits they did not usually go in public. If she was a young bride, the wife slightly covered her face before her husband in public with the hem of her shroud or *sari*, out of modesty.³ The relations between other men and women were formal, though gallantries of a most delicate nature were not wanting between the two sexes.⁴