Medieval period India
Medieval India
“Medieval India was considered the "Dark Ages" for Indian women.” (http://www.india netzone.com/7/women_position_india.htm)
The Mughals - Muslims who ruled a country with a large Hindu majority Due to the influence and the conquest of foreign force like the Mughals or the British, who had brought their own culture with them, the conditions of women were greatly affected and changed. The Muslims practiced polygamy as part of their religion and pushed it on the Hindus. To protect the women, “Purdah” system was introduced. But because of the establishment of this system, in which the women had to cover their body, their freedom was narrowed, which “lead to the further deterioration of their status” (http://www.map sofindia.com/culture/indian-women.html¬¬¬). The role of the woman in India became miserable and a burden.
In that time several other customs were introduced of which some are even today valued:
Sati (Suttee) – “The term is derived from the name of the goddess Sati, also known as Dakshayani, who self-immolated because she was unable to bear her father Daksha's humiliation of her husband Shiva.“ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sati_(practice)) Sati appears in the Hindi and Sanskrit and is synonymous with “good wife”. It is a practice in which women burn on the funeral pyre of their husband. It is said that they go straight to heaven and gain respect in society. It is considered to be a better choice than living as a widow. Goddess Sati ( Danshayani) - In the Hindu legend Sati it the “goddess of marital felicity and longevity”( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sati_(goddess) ). She acted out of loyalty and devotion for her husband, to “uphold the honor of her husband” (http://en. wikipedia.org/wiki/Sati_(goddess) ). Out of this developed the practice of “Sati”. Jauhar – Jahuar is in a way similar to Sari and was widespread in the ancient Rajput societies. It was a ”mass suicide”. “While their husbands went to perform Saka, […] all
“Medieval India was considered the "Dark Ages" for Indian women.” (http://www.india netzone.com/7/women_position_india.htm)
The Mughals - Muslims who ruled a country with a large Hindu majority Due to the influence and the conquest of foreign force like the Mughals or the British, who had brought their own culture with them, the conditions of women were greatly affected and changed. The Muslims practiced polygamy as part of their religion and pushed it on the Hindus. To protect the women, “Purdah” system was introduced. But because of the establishment of this system, in which the women had to cover their body, their freedom was narrowed, which “lead to the further deterioration of their status” (http://www.map sofindia.com/culture/indian-women.html¬¬¬). The role of the woman in India became miserable and a burden.
In that time several other customs were introduced of which some are even today valued:
Sati (Suttee) – “The term is derived from the name of the goddess Sati, also known as Dakshayani, who self-immolated because she was unable to bear her father Daksha's humiliation of her husband Shiva.“ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sati_(practice)) Sati appears in the Hindi and Sanskrit and is synonymous with “good wife”. It is a practice in which women burn on the funeral pyre of their husband. It is said that they go straight to heaven and gain respect in society. It is considered to be a better choice than living as a widow. Goddess Sati ( Danshayani) - In the Hindu legend Sati it the “goddess of marital felicity and longevity”( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sati_(goddess) ). She acted out of loyalty and devotion for her husband, to “uphold the honor of her husband” (http://en. wikipedia.org/wiki/Sati_(goddess) ). Out of this developed the practice of “Sati”. Jauhar – Jahuar is in a way similar to Sari and was widespread in the ancient Rajput societies. It was a ”mass suicide”. “While their husbands went to perform Saka, […] all