Social Status Of Women In Medieval Mithila: A Critical Analysis

Abstract

The kingdom of Videha seems to be mentioned for the first time in the “Samhitas” of the Yajurveda. Mithila the capital of Videha is not referred to in the Vedic texts, but is often mentioned in the Budhist Jatakas and the Jaina and the Brahmana, purana as well as the Epic. From the Brihad Vishnu Purana we learn that Videha or Mithila was 24 Yojana length for the river Kausiki to the river Gandaki and 16 Yojana in breadth from the river Ganga to the Himalaya.

The social status of women in a feudal society has been nicely depected in the writings of Vidyapati and writers of Mithila. According to Vidyapati a women needth a youth and never refrained from dependence on another. A woman has been compared to a tender creeper which dries up as soon as it is touched or pressed by and ordinary substance. Women were not active participants in the activities of the State, though we have an example of Lakhima and Viswas Devi in the history of the period concerned. Since women were believed to be of a weak mind and devoid of all knowledge, wisdom and their social position. The social status of women in general in the early medieval and medieval period was demoralizing. The Sudra and the women were placed in the same category. The society had no respect for them. They were not allowed to expose themselves physically as it was regarded as the worst dishonor. Devoid of her husband’s protection a chaste women had no other place where she could live in a peace and happiness and she could not even go to her father’s house without his consent. In the long run they became dependent upon him at every stage of life.