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Women in Ancient India

Throughout most of ancient Indian history, the role of women was more or less confined to the home. Though there are instances where women wielded power and authority, this did not imply the common lot of the women in ancient India. A woman was under the patriarchal authority of her parents, husband and sons. Even under Buddhism which boasted of liberal rules, a nun would be treated as subordinate to her male counterpart. Manu , one of the famous lawgivers of ancient India, declared that wife, like the slave and the son, has no right to property. However, some allowed a woman to own their special property ( stridhana ) in the form of jewellery and clothing. In ancient Indian society a woman could find their role in religion, but could not serve the temples as priestess. However in Vedic period the position of women was much more enhanced. Women seers are said to have composed some o the Vedic hymns. The famous discussion between Gargi and Yajnavalkya is well known. But by the begin