Status of Women in Ancient India
Evidences are available about the worship of the mother goddess in the ancient Indus valley civilization of India. At that time mother was worshipped. Women had respectable place within the society during the Rig Vedic period. The success of religious ceremonies has earned them respect. Young girls' education has been seen as a significant marriage qualification. In Vedic literature, there are references that in the Kshatriya society , women were entitled to choose their own life partner, known as 'Swayamvara.' The dowry system had been unknown in Rig Vedic society. The idea of marriage as a gift has, however, been prevalent. Monogamy was the common norm of society and during this period Bigamy was still in norm, but it was only in the aristocratic classes. In her house of laws the wife had been valued. The woman had engaged in her husband's sacrificial offerings. [1] However, since the son performed the last rites and continued the succession, the women were expect...