Vedic Women's Educational Conditions and their Social Status

In earlier times, Hindus considered education as a process of life. It was of belief of the ancient Hindus that education should prepare an individual to attain the main objectives of life like liberation, for living, for character formation (self-confidence, self-reliant and self-respect) and preservation of culture. Indian womanhood and their education have gone through socio-economic and psycho-spiritual changes. In Vedic period, according to A.S. Altekar, education was regarded as very essential to secure a suitable marriage". In Rig Vedic society "?the practice of child marriage did not exist?. That is why, girls were able to study and education was given an utmost importance. Early Vedic family was of patriarchal type, but Vedic women had some control over the entire household. The patriarchal system never deprived the privileges and rights of the women. Vedic sacrifices were performed jointly by the husband and wife. Therefore, in Vedic period, women enjoyed equal status with the man.