प्राचीन भारतीय सामाजिक एवं सांस्कृतिक व्यवस्था (Ancient Indian Social and Cultural Setting)

India is a multifaceted society wherein no generalization could apply to the sation’s various regional, religious, social and economic groups. Nonetheless certain broad circumstances in which Indian women live affect the way they participate in the economy. A common denominator in their lives is that a large number of them are generally confined to home, with restricted mobility, and in seclusion. Other, unwritten, hierarchical practices place further constraints on women. Throughout history, women have generally been restricted to the role of a home-maker, that of a mother, a sister and wife.

In spite of India’s reputation for respecting women, including treating her as a Goddess, history reveals that women were also ill-treated. There was no equality between men and women. This is true of ancient, medieval and early modern times.

Women have been minor players in the cosmic dra. They were increasingly dominated by social rigidities and historical events. Women in primitive times were strong. Matriarchal society was the feature of those times. Tilling soil was the beginning of the Earth Goddess cult. From Indus to the Pacific, the Mother Goddess was external symbol of life. The emergence of this supreme women power was the direct result of following the nature. Considering the analogy between seed and earth and male and female, men are thus dependent on women, because she is the sole provider of his creature comforts. Women, like carth, gave life, sustenance and strength.

The Vedic period gave India both Aryan paternalism and its great compilations of learning, the Vedas and Upanishads “With the advent of the Aryans, the situation changed. Since the northern climate had long winters fishing, hunting and maintaining fire were the chief means of survival Thus the woman, along with her children, was dependent on the brave and godlike male who bore hard life outside. In this way, a couple of forms of life developed side by side: one for women secluded and confined to inside, and other for men the external one, full of adventures.