Aryan Books

WOMEN AND GENDER IN ANCIENT INIDA: A Study of Texts and Inscriptions

By :- Vijaya Laxmi Singh

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Pages: xvi+176

Format: HB

ISBN-13: 978-81-7305-517-1

Place: New Delhi

Edition: 1st

Publisher: ARYAN BOOKS INTERNATIONAL

Size: 19cm x 25cm

Product Year: 2015

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Subordination of women is a common feature of almost all stages of history and is prevalent everywhere in the world. However, the extent and form of that subordination has been conditioned by the social and cultural environment in which women have been placed. To understand the position of women in early northern India, this study has been charted in a fashion that includes historiographical trends and perspectives, explores women?s spaces through the Buddhist literature, viz. the Therigatha and the Jataka; Sanskrit literature like the Ramayana and Devi Mahatmya (Markandeya Purana), Kalhana?s Rajatarangini and also epigraphic materials. Given the diverse and culturally pluralistic environment of India, different interpretations are applied to the images of women. Looking at women through multiple lenses, multiple voices and sources brought to bear on a particular argument, drawing out alternative position, sometimes subtle, at other times unpopular, is more than just an academic exercise, it has political implications as well. This study is relevant and consequential for contemporary Indian women who are exploring gender justice, which is a significant concern of the day.

Prologue v Acknowledgements xi List of Abbreviations xiii List of Illustrations xv I. Women and Gender in History 1 A. Historiographical Trends and Perspectives in Indian 1 and Non-Indian Sources for Early Historical Societies B. Ancient India and the Women Question: Brief Survey 14 from the Earliest Period to Pre-Maurya Period II. Buddhist Perspective of Women 27 A. Visibility of Egalitarian Concepts of Buddhism in the 28 Images of Women in the Androcentric Literature (Therigatha) B. Misogynous Literature 42 III. Images of Women in Sanskrit Texts 57 A. Gender Differentiation and Contentious Feminine Voice 57 of Sita in the Ramayana B. Devi Mahatmya (Markandeya Purana) and Mythical and 65 Theological Tradition of Goddess Worship in Early India IV. Gendered Identity: The Case of Queen Didda of 87 Historical Kashmir A. Introduction 87 B. Didda as Queen Consort, Regent Queen and the Ruling 92 Queen C. Conclusion 100 V. Gender in Inscriptions 111 A. Women and Gender in Inscriptions 112 B. Conclusion 135 Epilogue 143 Glossary 145 Bibliography 157 Index 167

Vijaya Laxmi Singh graduated in History Honours from the prestigious Patna Women?s College (Avila Convent), Patna. She obtained her M.A. and M.Phil. Degrees from University of Delhi and Ph.D. from Jawahar Lal University, Delhi. She is currently Associate Professor in the Department of History and Dy. Director and In-charge of Centre for Professional Development in Higher Education (UGC-ASC), University of Delhi. Her four monographs are: Ujjayini: A Numismatic and Epigraphic Study (1996), Mathura: The Settlement Pattern and Cultural Profile of an Early Historical City (2005), The Saga of First Urbanism in India: Harappan Civilisation (2006) and Portraying Cultures in Indian Subcontinent from Ancient to Modern (2011). She has received CICOPS scholarship in 2007 and has been conferred the status of CICOPS Fellow in 2012 by Pavia University, Italy. She has published many papers in national and international academic journals. She has participated and lectured in national and international seminars/colloquiums. She has also been a member of statutory bodies like the Academic Council (1994-98) and Executive Council (2000-2004) of the University of Delhi.

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