Harshacharita (socio-cultural Study)
by Mrs. Nandita Sarmah | 2014 | 67,792 words
This page relates ‘Purda System’ of the English study on the Harshacharita: A Sanskrit (poetical work) which can be studied as a Historical book of Indian society during the 7th century. It was originally written by Banabhatta who based his Harsacarita on the life of the Gupta emperor Harshavardhana. This study researches the religion, philosophy, flora and fauna and society of ancient India as reflected in the Harsha-Charita.
Part 7: Purdā System
It is found in the Harṣacarita that, it was a custom of high-born ladies to wear the veil[1] (i.e., jālikā) in that time. In the time of marriage princess Rājyaśrī veiled[2] her face with arunāṃśuka (i.e ., a very beautiful red silk cloth). It may be inferred that purdā system had prevailed at the times of 7th century A. D.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
[a] …ramaṇīyaṃ mukhāvaraṇaṃ kulastrījanācāro jālikā, Harṣacarita,III.p.44 [b] …..caṭulenāṃśujālena raktāṃśukeneva kṛtaśirovaguṇṭhanā, Ibid. [c] …nīlāṃśukajālikayeva niruddhārdhavadanā, Ibid.,I.p.14
[2]:
aruṇāṃśukāvaguṇṭhitamukhīṃ…….vadhūmapaśyat, Ibid.,IV.p.71-72