Question

Q85. With reference to the social conditions of women in the Gupta period, consider the following statements.
1. The women were absolutely denied access to independent sources of livelihood.
2. The first example of immolation of widow appears in A.D. 510.
Which of the above statement(s) is/ are correct?

• A. (a) Only 1
• B. (b) Only 2
• C. (c) Both 1 and 2
• D. (d) None of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is B (b) Only 2

Only the women of higher orders did not have access to independent sources of livelihood in pre-Gupta and Gupta period. The fact that women of the two lower varnas were free to earn their livelihood gave them considerable freedom, which was denied to the women of upper varnas. It was argued that the vaishyas and shudra women take to agricultural operations and domestic services and hence they are outside the control of their husbands. In a patriarchal set up they began to treat women as items of property, so much so that a woman was expected to follow her husband into the next world. The first example of immolation of widow appears in A.D. 510