A Historical Perspective of Evolution in Women’s Status in India Till the Gandhian Era

Abstract

Gender Inequality and subjugation of the weaker gender exist in almost all societies of the world. The problems related to gender inequality in India is not a recent development. The images and impressions attributed to women are passed on through generations. Over time, these images gradually gets established as social norms and become unquestioned. From a historical perspective, gender inequality in India emerged as a social reality from the later Vedic period. Despite of the tremendous efforts we put on different arenas, the problem still exists.The paper attempts to trace the reality of gender subjugation that infiltrated into the social system through the ages and highlight how the Gandhian era contributed to make some amelioration.