India is a multicultural country where
women are revered as the source of inspiration and power. Ancient literature like Vedas is filled with texts where women goddesses were worshipped for freedom (goddess Aditi), for power(goddess Durga), for education (goddess Saraswati). Though men dominated the social structure, women too had freedom of education and the right to marry according to their choice, hence swayamwars. The two great epics Ramayana and Mahabharat depicted the power women had on their men, household and their kingdom.
Buddhism and Jainism philosophy has encouraged women to lead a life of honour. Sanghamitra, the daughter of Ashoka was herself inducted into Buddhism. Women occupied esteemed positions in the order and achieved excellence in Art and education.
Deterioration in the social status of women started with Age of Manusmriti.Right to education, early marriage and property right was restricted. Women became the image of self-sacrifice and were enslaved to social restrictions. Motherhood was glorified to restrict women to the household. Purdah , sati system were practised and widow remarriage was illegitimate. Change of women from eq
uality to Subordinate was a hallmark.
The late Medieval period saw the Muslim conquest of the Indian subcontinent. The Zenana was a Persian tradition that restricted women to separate spaces in the household. Though Purdah and Harems were prevalent, this era saw some powerful woman rulers like The Gond Rani durgaawti, Chand Bibipur Razia Sultana. Nur Jehan, Emperor Jehangir ‘s wife was recognised as the real power behind the Mughal throne. Jijabai, Shivaji’s mother was a great administrator and ruler. Laxmibai, the Rani of Jhansi is still seen as the epitome of courage.
British Raj heralded a change in Indian society. Many reformers like Raja Ram Moha Roy , Dayanand Saraswati ,Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar and Jyotirao Phule fought for the betterment of women. Abolishing of Sati and widow remarriage act helped the cause of women. Struggle for independence saw some great women who fought for their motherland with fearlessness and courage like S
arojini Naidu, Begum Hazrat Mahal, Rani Laxmi bai, uda Devi, Rani vela Nachiyar, Keladi Chennai to name a few.
Post-independence women had served an important role in shaping modern India. Constitution of India guarantees equal status to all citizens including women. Various legislation like Hindu marriage, act, succession act, dowry were enacted to safeguard women’s interests. Though modernisation and education have increased women work power, gender inequalities in pay, abuse at work and home still mar the life of women.
India is celebrating the Navratri festival which is dedicated to Nine Devi’s. mahatmya /DurgaSaptashati which is read during the Pooja rituals is a religious text describing “glory of the goddess has supreme power. The story of the creation of supreme power to destroy Asur Mahishasura from the energy of all gods is the epitome of feminine energy. Lord Shiva and Shakti in Ardhanarishwar form signify that purush and Prakriti are both essential for the existence of life. Durga as warrior o
r Parvati as Annapurna both work together to sustain the life and development of mankind. Let us rise and give women their much-needed respect and place.
Development in science and technology has brought a change creating new roles for women, where professional jobs have increased education development and awareness in society is what is needed to bring back the women the glory of womanhood. Whether she is professional or a homemaker, dignity and choice to choose is her right.
Through this blog site, I endeavor to help women solve their health issues and empower them with knowledge. Are women more prone to depression and why? Let’s make this world a happy and safe haven for women to let them rise to their optimum potential.
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