Mauryan Empire:

Que. Social norms for women in the Dharmasastra and Arthasastra tradition were framed in according to the Varnashrama tradition. Evaluate critically. [UPSC CSE-2013]

Approach:

(1) Explain the given statement.

(2) Mention the Varnashrama Tradition.

(3) Mention the evaluation of social norms for women.

(4) Explain the evolution of the development of women.

Introduction:

Social setup of the ancient period was largely dictated by a corpus of literature popularly differentiated into Shruti and Smriti literature. 

Shruti literally means ‘that which is heard’ and refers to the body of the most authoritative ancient religious texts comprising the central canon of Hinduism. 

Smriti literally means that which is remembered and it includes the Vedangas, Puranas, epics, Dharmashastra and Nitishastra. These are attributed to an author and are traditionally written down in contrast to Shrutis which are considered author-less and were transmitted verbally across the generations and fixed. 

This body of literature included conditions and criterion for all sections of Indian society. Varnashrama tradition forms an important part of this literature.

Varnashrama Tradition:

The term Varnashrama is an amalgamation of two concepts- Varna system and Ashrama Dharma system. A brief description of this becomes imperative.

(1) Varna System: This system divides the society into social classes. There are four varnas (also known as chaturvarna system). These are Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra.

The first three of these are referred to in the Brahmanical tradition as dvija (meaning, twice-born) as they alone have the right to the sacred-thread ceremony, which is considered similar to second birth. This system was not rigid and there was no water tight compartmentalisation of castes. However, during the later Vedic period, the system became rigid and along with it, it brought in the decline in position of women.

(2) Ashrama System: This system divides the life of a dvija male into four stages- (1) Brahmacharya Ashram (Life of celibate student hood), (2) Grihastha Ashram (The householder stage), (3) Vanaprastha Ashram (Partial renunciation) and (4) Sanyasa Ashram (Complete renunciation). This system did not apply to women and Shudras.

Evaluation of Social Norms for Women:

(1) Prescriptive Nature: The Dharmasastra and Arthasastra texts did prescribe certain social norms for women that reflected the prevailing patriarchal values of the time. These texts often emphasized a woman’s role as a wife and mother, promoting qualities such as chastity, submissiveness, and obedience to her husband.

(2) Restrictions on Autonomy: Women in the Varnashrama tradition were subject to various restrictions on their autonomy and freedom. For example, they were expected to be under the protection and authority of their fathers before marriage and their husbands after marriage. This limited their agency and independence.

(3) Limited Educational Opportunities: The texts suggested that women’s education should primarily focus on domestic skills and moral virtues. This limited their access to broader educational opportunities and participation in intellectual or public spheres.

(4) Property Rights: While the texts did acknowledge some property rights for women, they were often conditional and subject to the approval of male relatives. Women’s inheritance and property rights were generally not as secure or extensive as those of men.

(5) Marital Expectations: The texts emphasized the importance of arranged marriages and fidelity within the institution of marriage. They prescribed severe consequences for women who did not adhere to these norms.

(6) Economic Dependence: Women’s economic dependence on male relatives was reinforced by these norms. Their financial security often relied on their fathers or husbands.

(7) Social Stratification: The Varnashrama tradition further stratified society along caste lines, and this social hierarchy had implications for women as well. The norms for women could vary based on their caste, with Brahmin women often having different roles and expectations than women from lower castes.

Conclusion: 

The social norms for women framed within the Dharmasastra and Arthasastra traditions, based on the Varnashrama system, were deeply ingrained in the patriarchal and hierarchical structure of ancient Indian society. 

These norms limited women’s autonomy, education, and economic independence, reinforcing traditional gender roles. 

While they reflect the historical context, it’s crucial to recognize that social norms have evolved over time, and contemporary India has seen efforts to challenge and change these traditional norms to promote gender equality and women’s rights.