The Role Of Women In The Social, Economic, And Political Sphere Of Ancient India

The Role Of Women In The Social, Economic, And Political Sphere Of Ancient India And Reforms Of Vidya Sagar, Raja Ram Mohan Roy And Jyotirao Phule In 19th Century India

Daksha Sharma, School of Law, NMIMS University, Hyderabad

Vanamala Srinvas, Visiting Faculty, School of Law, NMIMS University, Hyderabad

ABSTRACT

This research paper investigates the position of women throughout history, beginning with the Rigvedic and ancient eras and continuing into the colonial era. The paper begins by outlining the specific reasons for the deterioration of women's status. It then goes on to highlight several reforms and contributors who made a significant contribution towards the progression of the notion of women's liberation. The Child Marriage Act, the Widow Remarriage Act, and the repeal of the sati pratha and purdah systems are some examples of the reforms that have been enacted. In this article, the primary emphasis is placed on the contributions made by Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Ishwar Chand Vidyasagar, and Jyoti Rao Phule. The purpose of this study is to investigate the significant factors and circumstances that shed light on a change in women's status from "one in need of a revelation" to "one that has been emancipated." Their religious practises and traditions placed a strong emphasis on their submissiveness to men, which is glorified in this article in hand as well. Although the society of the Rig Vedic period held women in high esteem and accorded them the respect that was due to them, during the subsequent Vedic period, women were subjected to practises that were discriminatory. The acquiring of educational opportunities, along with other rights and facilities, was the primary point of concentration for the observation of discrimination. Because of the prevalence of practises such as child marriage, sati, polygamy, and the purdah system, the position of women in society continued to deteriorate. In both the epics and the puranas, women are almost always depicted as being treated as property.

Keywords: Rigvedic, Colonial Era, The Child Marriage Act, the Widow Remarriage Act, Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Ishwar Chand Vidyasagar, Jyoti Rao Phule, Sati, child marriage, female infanticide, the Devadasi system, and women's rights