Evaluate the position of women in the 15th–16th centuries, with special reference to the Devadasi system in Vijayanagara.

The 15th and 16th centuries in India presented a paradoxical position for women. While the general social atmosphere was marked by patriarchal restrictions like Sati and Purdah, the Vijayanagara Empire offered unique opportunities for women in public life. The period is particularly noted for the institutionalization of the Devadasi system, which had deep religious and social implications.

1. General Position of Women

Foreign travelers like Nuniz and Paes observed a high level of female participation in the state:

  • Diverse Occupations: Women were not confined to the home. They served as wrestlers, palace guards, accountants, astrologers, and even judges. Some were highly trained in music and literature.
  • Social Evils: Despite their active role, child marriage was common. Sati was widely practiced and glorified among the upper classes and the families of fallen warriors.
  • Dowry System: The Varadakshina (dowry) system was prevalent, though records show that sometimes legal measures were taken to limit excessive dowry demands.

2. The Devadasi System in Vijayanagara

The Devadasi system (servants of God) reached its cultural peak during this era:

  • Religious Role: These were women dedicated to the service of a deity in a temple. They were responsible for dancing (Bharatnatyam), singing, and performing rituals like lighting lamps.
  • Social Status: In the 15th century, Devadasis held a respectable social position. They were wealthy, owned land, and were exempt from certain taxes. They were often the only literate women in society.
  • State Patronage: The Vijayanagara Kings provided large grants for their maintenance. They played a central role during the Mahanavami festival, performing before the King and the public.
  • Decline into Exploitation: Toward the end of the 16th century, the system began to lose its spiritual sanctity, slowly turning into a form of organized exploitation as the economic power of temples declined.

3. Influence of the Bhakti Movement

The 15th–16th centuries also saw women challenging the social order through spirituality:

  • Bhakti Saints: Figures like Mirabai and Akka Mahadevi rejected traditional domestic roles. They asserted that a woman's primary relationship was with the Divine, not the husband or father.
  • Equality: The Bhakti and Sufi movements provided a spiritual escape for women from the rigid caste and gender hierarchies of the time.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the position of women in the 15th and 16th centuries was a blend of unprecedented freedom in the royal courts and traditional bondage in the domestic sphere. The Devadasi system initially served as a center for the preservation of arts but later became a symbol of social decay. This period highlights the complex evolution of gender roles in Indian history, where women were both the "shakti" of the temple and the "property" of the patriarch.