Originally posted by: Intrepida
Exactly, I actually was asking the same, many of the characters in the MB have multiple wives, is that right? I posted on twitter under a post of SP about MB and I suggest we all tweet about it too!
Ok. In our history book, it is said that respect was to be given to all but keeping in mind the social status which went some thing like this :-
Brahmanas/purohits/teachers/gurus/ <
Fraternal kins who are like parents <
youngers and equals in age <
the young warriors of the kingdom <
Women/mothers/daughter/daughters in law/ Dasis <
Orphans and handicapped
does this show you the general social situation?😆
The paternal estate was to be divided only among sons with a special share for the Eldest. Girls had claim on only those things set for their dowry and were not to 'HOARD' family property or even their own valuables without the permission of the Husband.
Condition of Women during the Mahabharat Period is described as in my History Part l :-
Negative in character and established gender hierarchy
Birth of Girl child was looked upon as evil and a curse, wedded couples performed yajnas and sacrifices to be honored with 'FINE SONS' by the gods.
The doors of 'Sabhasa' and 'Samitie', the representative assemblies were closed for Women except for a rare few cases.
Polygamy ( Men having multiple wives) was becoming a common practice, there were rules as to which Man of which caste could have how many wives of same or different(lower) castes.
Polyandry ( Women with Multiple husbands) and Sati was not in common practice, though it doesnt mean that it did not existed at all, mostly among Royal Females. Well, there is Madri and Draupadi for examples i guess.
Widow marriage was in Vogue and Niyog was obviously practiced.
Satvahanas were the only exception, women were given more respect among the, the name of the children were derived from mothers name. Eight kind of marriages were accepted but only the first 4 were considered 'good'. The last four were condemned.
One of the last four was when a girl married a Lover out of her own desire.😔 That will be love marriage.
Going more deep into Polyandry, gradually the practice fell into disfavor among the Brahmanas, but it was prevalent among the Ruling Elites, especially in the Himalayan Region. There was a shortage of girls (Obviously, since sons were preferred) which led to the practice of Polyandry among common people too, not just Ruling Class. Though, it was attributed to a situation of Crisis. While, Polygamy was more of a choice given to Men according to their caste, wealth and status in society. See, the major difference.
And, Women were considered possession, first. Property, by royal males. Not their own person. Unfortunately, Human Rights/Legal and Social Gender Identity was unheard of at that time, i assume.😛
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Geet - Hui Sabse Parayee
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