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Vijayanagar (1336–1646 AD) was one of the greatest Hindu empires of India. When N.India was enslaved by Islamic savagery, Vijayanagar followed Hindu tradition to empower women with education, property rights, & financial/administrative control.
#OurTrueHistory
@ShefVaidya
Vijayanagar (1336–1646 AD) was one of the greatest Hindu empires of India. When N.India was enslaved by Islamic savagery, Vijayanagar followed Hindu tradition to empower women with education, property rights, & financial/administrative control.
#OurTrueHistory
@ShefVaidya
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Inscriptions, historical texts & foreign traveler's accounts describe the women of Vijayanagar as possessing property & financial independence. Many donated property to worthy causes such as temple improvements, civil works & welfare schemes. Others volunteered their services.
Inscriptions, historical texts & foreign traveler's accounts describe the women of Vijayanagar as possessing property & financial independence. Many donated property to worthy causes such as temple improvements, civil works & welfare schemes. Others volunteered their services.
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Women were educated from a young age to become literate in Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu, etc.. The great king Krishnadevaraya himself patronized several female writers and poets & encouraged centers of learning. Women authors wrote timeless Kavyas & literature during this era
Women were educated from a young age to become literate in Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu, etc.. The great king Krishnadevaraya himself patronized several female writers and poets & encouraged centers of learning. Women authors wrote timeless Kavyas & literature during this era
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Young girls were also taught music, dance & painting. This education proved invaluable in preserving & furthering the classical Hindu arts. Auditoriums were designed for female musicians & dancers to practice. Temple dancers were showered with wealth & highly respected.
Young girls were also taught music, dance & painting. This education proved invaluable in preserving & furthering the classical Hindu arts. Auditoriums were designed for female musicians & dancers to practice. Temple dancers were showered with wealth & highly respected.
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Women’s education was not limited to the arts; many served as accountants, astronomers, astrologers & chefs. There were female judges, bailiffs, & guards employed for state services. Their power can be gauged by the fact that women also held administrative control.
Women’s education was not limited to the arts; many served as accountants, astronomers, astrologers & chefs. There were female judges, bailiffs, & guards employed for state services. Their power can be gauged by the fact that women also held administrative control.
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Women even performed physical, labor-intensive jobs such as carrying luggage, working in the fields, guarding the royal offices & washing laundry. Women warriors were also trained in military arts such as wrestling, sword play, archery, riding elephants & horses.
Women even performed physical, labor-intensive jobs such as carrying luggage, working in the fields, guarding the royal offices & washing laundry. Women warriors were also trained in military arts such as wrestling, sword play, archery, riding elephants & horses.
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Festivals & events such as Shakti Yatra, Vijayadashami celebrated the power of women. Women of all castes & tribes participated in these festivals. The capital Hampi was named after goddess Parvati, as a timeless testament to Vijayanagar's reverence for the feminine divine.
Festivals & events such as Shakti Yatra, Vijayadashami celebrated the power of women. Women of all castes & tribes participated in these festivals. The capital Hampi was named after goddess Parvati, as a timeless testament to Vijayanagar's reverence for the feminine divine.
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Foreign travelers described Vijayanagar’s women as elaborately dressed with rich jewelry, hairstyles & accessories, showing prosperity across all classes. Their safety was guaranteed by strictly enforced laws, as criminals who molested women were given stringent punishment
Foreign travelers described Vijayanagar’s women as elaborately dressed with rich jewelry, hairstyles & accessories, showing prosperity across all classes. Their safety was guaranteed by strictly enforced laws, as criminals who molested women were given stringent punishment
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While India reeled under the savagery of Islamic onslaughts, Vijayanagar upheld the Hindu tradition of elevating women. The freedom to learn, work, create & earn empowered women to contribute in making Vijayanagar one of the most prosperous & progressive societies in the world
While India reeled under the savagery of Islamic onslaughts, Vijayanagar upheld the Hindu tradition of elevating women. The freedom to learn, work, create & earn empowered women to contribute in making Vijayanagar one of the most prosperous & progressive societies in the world
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References:
The Vijayanagar Empire: Chronicles of Paes & Nuniz
Women in Vijayanagar- Sri Lakshmi Katragadda
Economic Life in the Vijayanagara Empire- T.V. Mahalingam
A Forgotten Empire( Vijayanagara)- Robert Sewell
References:
The Vijayanagar Empire: Chronicles of Paes & Nuniz
Women in Vijayanagar- Sri Lakshmi Katragadda
Economic Life in the Vijayanagara Empire- T.V. Mahalingam
A Forgotten Empire( Vijayanagara)- Robert Sewell
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