Question

Write differences.

Status of Women in the Early Vedic Period and Later Vedic Period

Differentiate between:

Status of women during the early vedic period and status of women during the later vedic period.

Answer 1

Status of Women in the Early Vedic Period	Status of Women in the Later Vedic Period
1. Women had access to Vedic education during the early Vedic period.	1. During the later Vedic period, women were denied access to Vedic education.
2. Women were entitled to the upanayana (thread) ceremony which enabled their entry into the Gurukul system of education.	2. Women were not allowed to attend school in the later Vedic period, and the upanayana ceremony was replaced by marriage, particularly child marriage.
3. Educated women were divided into two categories: Sadyavadhu - those who pursued their education just until they were married and Brahmavadinis - those who never married and continued studying and imparting education throughout their lives.	3. The Later Vedic period witnessed a decline in the status of women in society. Women were now restricted to household duties and were barred from attending social assemblies. They were reduced to a subordinate status in the household.
4. Women were considered useful and productive members of society. They could participate in social assemblies (vidath). They were also permitted to choose their life partners for marriage.	4. The birth of a daughter began to be looked down upon and there is evidence to suggest the beginning of the practice of dowry.

Answer 2

Points	Early Vedic Period	Later Vedic Period
1. Status	The women enjoyed a relatively high social status during the early period.	The status of women had lowered during the later period.
2. In relation to men	The status of women, though not equal to men, was still respectable in the male-dominated society.	The status of women became subordinate in the male-dominated society
3. Upanayanan ceremony	They were entitled to the upanayanan ceremony and education. The Rig Veda gave a higher status to learned women.	They were denied the right to perform the Upanayana ceremony and receive an education. Only women from the royal family were tutored privately
4. Role of women	Women were considered useful and productive members of society.	Women were no longer considered useful and confined to household work. The birth of a daughter was looked down upon, and the dowry system began.