Women in the maternal society of ancient India

The position of women in Indian society has changed from age to age. Their position in society during the early Vedic era had not been in a stagnant continuation throughout the age. The time frame from 1500 BC to 500 BC is considered the Vedic era, where women were placed at the top of society. Let’s discuss the position and the rights women had during this era.

According to the Manusmriti

The Mother was 1000 times superior to the father, who was 100 times superior to the Acharya. So, there was a kind of matriarchal society in the early Vedic period, as found in the MAnusmriti. Later, due to property and other social reasons, the position of men and their control over society increased. But, even after that, the position or social rights of men in the Vedic age did not overwhelm the women's position in society.

Birth of a girl-child: rituals and celebration

Girl-child was never unwanted or unwelcome in this era. Moreover, there were some rituals parents used to follow to have a girl-child. Men who used to want a girl-child had to touch all the fingers of the bride except the thumb. There was also another ritual called Kamya Shraddha. After the birth of a girl-child, the father used to worship her to celebrate the purity that came to the house.

Equal right to education: co-ed learning system

In the Vedic era, there was no discrimination in the case of Vedic education. Girls, who wanted to study, had to go through the process of Upanayana the same as the boys. These girls were called ‘Brahmabadini’ who used to go through the phase ‘Brahma Charya’ during studies. The Kshatriya girls used to learn armament as well. It is evident from the archaeological discoveries and old notes that there was a co-ed learning system where boys and girls used to learn together.

Position in Garhastya: Marriage and after-marriage life

In the case of the marriage system also, the women were evaluated more than the groom. Women were treated as a pure gift. In the top four types of marriages of that time, men were in the sublime position. There was also the ritual of Swayamvara, where the women had the right to choose their men. After marriage, the wife used to become the 'Ardhangini' who had equal rights to run a family. There was no ritual like 'Sahagamana' or anything else for a widow; even in some cases, they had the right to marry again.

Besides, we can find so many goddesses in the Vedic era who were worshipped, and it had been mentioned in many ways that disrespecting a woman was never welcomed in that society.