The essentials
In the Mahabharata, Yudhishthira, having lost his wealth to Duryodhana in a game of dice, stakes Draupadi as well. This episode raises questions about whether wives could be treated as the property of their husbands. In general, according to the Manusmriti, the paternal estate was to be divided equally among sons after the death of the parents, with a special share for the eldest. Women could not claim a share of these resources.
Women could retain the gifts they received on the occasion of their marriage as stridhana ("a woman's wealth"). This could be inherited by their children, without the husband having any claim. However, the Manusmriti warned women against hoarding family property or even their own valuables without the husband's permission.
Key points
- Epigraphic and textual evidence suggests that upper-class women may have had access to resources, but land, cattle and money were generally controlled by men.
- Prabhavati Gupta, daughter of Chandragupta II and a Vakataka queen, issued a land grant; this shows that a royal widow could hold and grant land — an exception rather than the rule.
- Social differences between men and women were sharpened because of differences in access to resources.
- Varna was also a basis for access to wealth: the Shudra's only "occupation" was servitude; Brahmanas and Kshatriyas were expected to be wealthy.
- Buddhist texts and Tamil sangam literature give a different picture: they speak of generosity, and the chief was expected to share wealth.
Common mistakes
- Assuming stridhana meant women had equal property rights; it was limited.