Women in Mauryan Age | Pg3 Alexander vs an Indian Queen, Pg5 Vishkanya

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Abhay

@history_geek

IF-Rockerz

+ 5

Posted: 7 years ago

Hi everyone,

I was reading about the Mauryan Empire & came across few snippets which made me make a post on the position of women in that period. Overall, i got an impression that they held high status in the society and their condition had not deteriorated as it happened in the later ancient period and medieval ages.

I have quoted, mostly Greeks, and some Indian accounts of this period. The topics i have discussed are :

- Marriage System & Dowry : which was quite simple.

- Conditions when a wife could divorce a husband : women treated at par with men.

- Education of Women : they remained unmarried in some cases to continue studies.

- Women Warriors in Military : an eye opener. Must read.

- Practice of Widow Burning : More like the modern day Sati but voluntary in Mauryan times.

- Courtesans : Held in great respect. I have also mentioned the story of Amrapali and Gautam Buddha.

- Prostitutes : They were employed in the royal household on a big salary. They held the royal umbrella & attended upon the king while he was on his throne. Chanakya holds them in high importance.

Link :
Status of Women in Magadhan Mauryan Society | With Sculptures and Jewels

This post may not be the last word on this topic. It is a collection of the interesting points which i found during my reading. You are welcome to share yours.

I have also included sculptures and jewels from various museum collections as I found them really awesome !

PS : I was asked to write about Chandragupta and Helena, wrt their early marriage. I have added a short note below, in my comment.

Also updated :

On Page 2 :
Some ancient sculptures showing women taking part in warfare.

On Page 3 :
Account of an Indian Queen fighting against the forces of Alexander, 326 BCE

On Page-4 :
The kind of "fabric" which was used in the Mauryan era ; from Arthashastra of Chanakya.

Edited by history_geek - 6 years ago

Quote

Frequent Posters

Abhay

@history_geek

IF-Rockerz

+ 5

Posted: 7 years ago

Chandragupta Maurya and marriage with daughter of Seleucus

I have been asked to post about the marriage of Chandragupta and daughter of Seleucus. So, making a brief mention.

The alliance of Chandragupta and Seleucus happened in 305 BCE. The show is running somewhere in 320s BCE. So, this is a creative liberty taken by the makers just for sake of introducing drama element. This marriage has been pre-poned by approx. 20 years.

I was asked to post about this marriage from Discovery of India - the autobiography of Pt. Nehru. Here is what Pandit Nehru says about this marriage :

At the end of his reign, Chandragupta Maurya married Seleucus's daughter.
It was his last major event of life. Greek accounts are also on same note.

*******************************************************

I have made 2 historical threads till now in this forum.

Thread 1

This is about the history of Chandragupta Maurya.
Brief introduction about him.

Forum Thread Link :
Chandragupta Maurya | The Builder of an Empire & Protector of Bharata | Updated on Pg-7 about the Clothing in Mauryan Era
https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/topic/4730845

Direct Post Link :
An Introduction to Chandragupta Maurya | The Builder of an Empire & Protector of Bharat

Thread 2

This post includes the history of Nanda rulers and their origin, including the conspiracy of the Queen of Shishunaga along with the Nanda barber to murder her husband, and more. I have included the pictures of sculptures which were obtained from visits to various museums, which give us an idea about the prevailing culture of that period.

Forum Thread Link :
History of Nanda dynasty - Mahapadmananda and Dhanananda | From Alexander to arrival of Chandragupta Maurya | Updated on Pg-3 about the Wars in Ancient / Mauryan Era
https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/topic/4735921

Direct Post Link :
History of Nanda Rulers | Mahapadma Nanda and Dhana Nanda | Pre - Mauryan Magadha Empire before arrival of Alexander and rise of Chandragupta Maurya I With ancient sculptures

Edited by history_geek - 7 years ago

Quote

shilpishona

@shilpishona

Goldie

Posted: 7 years ago

Originally posted by: history_geek

<div align="center"><font color="#0000FF" face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">Chandragupta Maurya and marriage with daughter of Seleucus</font>
</div>
<font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif"><font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">I have been asked to post about the marriage of Chandragupta and daughter of Seleucus. So, making a brief mention.

The
alliance of Chandragupta and Seleucus happened in 305 BCE. The show is
running somewhere in 320s BCE. So, this is a creative liberty taken by
the makers just for sake of introducing drama element. This marriage has
been pre-poned by approx. 20 years.

I was asked to post about this marriage from Discovery of India - the autobiography of Pt. Nehru. Here is what Pandit Nehru says about this marriage :

</font></font><div align="center"><font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">

</font><div align="left"><font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">
<font color="#0000FF">At the end of his reign, Chandragupta Maurya married Seleucus's daughter.
It was his last major event of life. Greek accounts are also on same note.</font>
</font></div></div><font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">

</font><div align="center"><font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">*******************************************************</font>
</div><font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">

I have made 2 historical threads till now in this forum.</font><font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">

Thread 1

This is about the history of Chandragupta Maurya.
Brief introduction about him.

Forum Thread Link :
Chandragupta Maurya | The Builder of an Empire & Protector of Bharata | Updated on Pg-7 about the Clothing in Mauryan Era
https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/topic/4730845

Direct Post Link :
An Introduction to Chandragupta Maurya | The Builder of an Empire & Protector of Bharat

</font><font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif">
Thread 2

This
post includes the history of Nanda rulers and their origin, including
the conspiracy of the Queen of Shishunaga along with the Nanda barber to
murder her husband, and more. I have included the pictures of
sculptures which were obtained from visits to various museums, which
give us an idea about the prevailing culture of that period.

Forum Thread Link :
History
of Nanda dynasty - Mahapadmananda and Dhanananda | From Alexander to
arrival of Chandragupta Maurya | Updated on Pg-3 about the Wars in
Ancient / Mauryan Era
https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/topic/4735921

Direct Post Link :
History
of Nanda Rulers | Mahapadma Nanda and Dhana Nanda | Pre - Mauryan
Magadha Empire before arrival of Alexander and rise of Chandragupta
Maurya I With ancient sculptures

</font>

thanks abhay very much needed information...

Quote

Shraddha

@lashy

IF-Addictz

+ 4

Posted: 7 years ago

Originally posted by: history_geek

- Marriage System & Dowry : which was quite simple.

- Conditions when a wife could divorce a husband : women treated at par with men.

- Education of Women : they remained unmarried in some cases to continue studies.

- Women Warriors in Military : an eye opener. Must read.

- Practice of Widow Burning : More like the modern day Sati but voluntary in Mauryan times.

- Courtesans : Held in great respect. I have also mentioned the story of Amrapali and Gautam Buddha.

- Prostitutes : They were employed in the royal household on a big salary. They held the royal umbrella & attended upon the king while he was on his throne. Chanakya holds them in high importance.