What Does the New NCERT Textbook Reveal About Women's Status in Ancient India?

Insights from the New NCERT Social Science Textbook

New Delhi: A recently published social science textbook by NCERT has sparked discussions by referencing a verse from the Manusmriti, suggesting that while women were respected during the Vedic era, their status experienced fluctuations and even decline due to changing social and political landscapes.

This reference is found in the chapter titled 'State and Society up to 1000 CE', which characterizes the Vedic period as one where women were often regarded with high esteem.

The Manusmriti, an ancient Sanskrit scripture, delineates the principles of righteous living, social hierarchies, and governance within Hinduism. Its interpretations regarding caste and gender have been contentious for many years.

The textbook highlights that women engaged in scholarly pursuits, participated in rituals alongside men in specific contexts, and attended public gatherings. Notably, several hymns from the Rig Veda are attributed to female sages like Apala, Visvavara, Ghosha, and Lopamudra. It states, 'Where women are honored, there the gods rejoice; where they are not honored, all sacred rites are rendered fruitless.'

Moreover, the textbook emphasizes that the status of women was not static.

It notes, 'As time progressed, the roles and positions of women varied and sometimes diminished due to evolving social and political conditions. Nevertheless, women continued to play significant roles in household management, agriculture, crafts, and religious activities.'

Additionally, the textbook revisits the notions of 'varna' and 'jati', asserting that social identity in early Vedic society was not exclusively determined by birth.

'Early Vedic texts do not suggest a fixed social status based solely on birth. Instead, it is widely accepted that social identity was influenced by a variety of intricate and overlapping factors, including ethnicity, subgroup, regional ties, village connections, language, occupation, and particularly cultural relationships,' the chapter concludes.