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Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c12.s10.t16: Public Appearance of Women

Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c12.s10.t16

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Public Appearance of Women

c12.s10.t16.1

In early days as a whole there was nothing like modern purdah system in existence, though there were certain restrictions on the movement of women. Javanīyā or the curtain is mentioned in the Jain texts. It is stated that Tisala sat behind the curtain and listened to the interpretations of dreams.⁷³ But on the whole we find that women appeared in the public without any restriction. They could go out to visit their friends and relations. Many women are seen going to the jakkha and other shrines for worship and gathering on the occasion of various festivals. We hear that king Kūniya visited Mahāvīra along with his queens.73a In the case of prince-converts we find them being taken to Mahāvīra by the king and the queen who made a joint gift of their son to the Teacher.⁷⁴

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⁷³ Kalpa. 4. 63; also Nāyā. 1, p. 8.

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73a Ovā. Sū 33, p. 144f.

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⁷⁴ For Purdah system in ancient India, See Altekar, op. cit., pp. 196-211.

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We also come across women dressed in man's attire, putting on armour, equipped with weapons, arms, shields, bows and arrows.⁷⁵ There are examples when women actually fought battles. We hear of a certain queen who fought a battle in the disguise of her lord.⁷⁶

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⁷⁵ Vivā. 3, p. 23.

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⁷⁶ Vya. Bhā. 1, p. 100 a.

Cites (4)