STATUS OF WOMEN EDUCATION IN ANCIENT INDIA

Submitted by

Name of the candidate

MEENAL KHORWAL

Division -D

Batch- 2021-2026

Of

Symbiosis Law School, NOIDA

Symbiosis International (Deemed University), PUNE

In

NOVEMBER, 2021

Under the guidance of

Dr. POOJA KAPOOR

(Course-in-Charge)

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 Abstract

The primary goal of this study work is to have a better knowledge of women's education in ancient India.
Women were treated with respect and dignity in ancient times. Throughout this period, there were female
rishis who were highly esteemed. In royal households, women were respected and had a vital part in
decision-making and administrative chores. They were educated in many disciplines and also played a
significant role in politics. The birth of a girl child was not valued among the economically disadvantaged
parts of society, and priority was given to male infants. The importance of women's education in ancient
India is one of the key topics covered in this research paper.

Women were esteemed in ancient India, and they made substantial contributions to the welfare of the family
and community. The ladies were accorded a high social standing, and they felt gratified and pleased. They
were given the chance to improve their intellectual and spiritual abilities. During this time, there were a lot
of female rishis. Polygamy was popular among the upper classes, although monogamy was more common.
Sati and child marriage were not often practiced. Women were respected and revered in Rig Vedic culture,
but in the later Vedic period, women were discriminated against. Discrimination was largely observed in the
areas of education and other rights and privileges. Women's status has deteriorated even more due to the
prevalence of child marriage, sati, polygamy, and the purdah regime. Women were heavily associated with
property in the epics and puranas.

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RESEARCH OBJECTIVES:
 To know the status of women in Post Vedic Period and Vedic Period.
 To know the two different varieties of Brahmavadinis

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY:

The researcher has used only doctrinal method of research that includes library work. Besides
this, the researcher has also looked for some online contents related to the prolific writers.

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 INDEX

Sl. No. Particulars Page No.

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INTRODUCTION:
The arrival of Aryan era set a new system of education in the society . In ancient India, women’s status
had both beneficial and negative implications. They were given opportunities, yet they were also
discriminated against. There was a relationship between a woman’s financial state and her social status.
This, in short, is contingent on the rights and chances to contribute significantly to economic activity.
Agriculture employed the majority of India’s workforce. In addition, both men and women worked in
occupations like weaving, handicraft, and pottery making. As a result, women were frequently matrimonial
at an early age, denied access to education, and expected to do domestic duties as well as care for their
family’s wishes and expectations.

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 Status of women education in post- vedic period
In ancient India, the religious setting was seen to be the most effective way of influencing education. The
Aryan mind might be seen as the primary source of Indian education. Furthermore, the sensitive and
physical character of the ‘Dravidians’ particularly encouraged the aesthetic and occupational components.
From the Vedic 2000 B.C. to 1000 B.C. to the post-Vedic 1000 B.C. to 200 B.C. eras, there was a transition
in women's and girls' education. Women had a high standing throughout the Vedic period. During the
ancient time, education was seen as an important factor in improving one's living situations. Individuals
largely held the belief that education would assist them to attain their intended goals of living a more richer
life (Roy, 2017). Individuals must raise knowledge about a variety of topics, including morals, ethics,
academic concepts, culture, religion, norms, values, standards, and principles, 1 in order to improve their
living situations.

Women were encouraged to pursue higher education since they were the ones who were solely responsible
for the family and community's well-being. They made major contributions in areas such as home
obligations, health care, child development, older family member needs and requirements, environmental
preservation, and so on. Individuals were entrusted to the women with the obligation of imparting moral and
ethical knowledge to them. As a result, in order to properly conduct all of these vocations and activities,
women must gain information and improve their skills and talents. Women were able to live a life of dignity
and respect as a result of their education. In society, intelligent and knowledgeable women were considered
with respect and adoration. As a result of their education, women acquired self-confidence and were better
equipped to defend themselves against any sort of assault or harassment.

1
Radhika, (2019), https://www.researchgate.net/publication/330220793_Status_of_Women_in_Ancient_India
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 Status of Women Education in Vedic Period

Women's status and circumstances were significantly better in the Vedic period than they had been in any
preceding age. If a woman desired to gain an education but did not want to marry, she was allowed to do so
without any constraints. The majority of the females from well-off households had the opportunity to attend
school. Both girls and boys participated in the Upanayana, or initiation ceremony. Women's education was
given proper attention throughout the Aryan period, also known as the poetical age. There was no
discrimination against women's education. People were concerned about women's morals in the social order.
The Vedas show that the whole Aryan race was constructively mindful when it came to enacting regulations
and laws, as well as improving women's conditions. It made a substantial contribution to the collective
creative forces of the general population. Aryans were not just aware of female power dynamics and
disagreements during the time. This is due to the fact that civilisation was still developing at the time.

Many women academics lived throughout the Vedic period. They were well-versed in the Vedas and other
sacred scriptures. Not only did these ladies write hymns, but they also learned to play music and dance.
Spinning, weaving, embroidery, and stitching were other skills learned by women from lower strata or
castes. During the Vedic period, there were numerous female poets and thinkers. Many talented women,
such as Apala, Ghosha, and Visvavara, attained to the position of sages or rishis during the Vedic period,
performing the job tasks of creating mantras. Lopamudra is one of the few female instructors of the time,
and she is said to have preached 179 hymns from the Rig Veda's first book with sage Agasthya. As a result,
women were given equal opportunity in school, alongside male teachers, to demonstrate their ability. This
was used in both schooling and social traditions and rituals.

Women, like their husbands, participated in religious events and sacrifices in pre-Vedic periods. When girls
and women were in formal schooling, they were obliged to repeat the mantras or words with accuracy and
efficiency. During the Vedic time, numerous women academics overcome various obstacles. During the
Vedic time, they were afforded equal possibilities, especially in terms of education. Apala, Atreyiand, and
Ghosha are three renowned female scholars from this time period. Some teachers have been hired by
wealthy families to offer youngsters with training in dance, singing, garland-making, canvas, mending,
stitching, magical, creating poetries, and preparing games, among added skills. Females from some of the
well-educated homes also learned by listening to young pupils' teachings. As a result, it is possible to assert
that authority existed and that women were valued in society. They participated with their spouses in
religious, social, and cultural festivities when they were organized. Mutual regard and cordiality were
used to keep social relationships strong, and social morality was high.

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 Two Different Varieties of Brahmavadinis

Women in ancient India received education and had a high level of knowledge and information. There were
two varieties of “Brahmavadinis”, or women who did not marry and accumulated Vedic knowledge
throughout the course of their lives. “Brahmavadinis” were devoted scholars of philosophy and theology
throughout their lives. The “Sadyodvahas” were the other group, who studied the Vedas until they married.
These ladies continued their education until they were 15 or 16 years old, when they married. Paninis were
the name given to women who studied the Vedas. Upadhyaya or “upadhyayi” were the female instructors'
names. The hymns were written by Buddhist nuns. Women excelled in domains like as fine arts, music, and
painting, as well as writing Sanskrit plays and poetry. It was demonstrated to a large degree that monarchs
and kings were aware of the need of female education and had their offspring, both male and female,
educated.

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 Conclusion

Women's standing in ancient India had both positive and bad consequences. They were given opportunity,
but they were also subjected to discrimination. There was a link between women's status and their financial
situation. This, in shot, is in need of on the rights and chances to make a significant contribution to economic
activity. The bulk of India's workforce was involved in agriculture. Furthermore, both males and females
betrothed in occupations such as interlacing, handicraft, and clay production. As a result, women were
typically married off at a young age, were denied access to education, and were expected to carry out home
tasks as well as care for the wants and expectations of their family members. Women tended to stay in the
house since women were largely responsible for the household's administration. Aside from that, they
worked in manufacturing and production to boost the family's income.

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