The term 'stridhana' is first mentioned in which of the following texts?
Arthashastra
Understanding the Term 'Stridhana' in Ancient Texts
The question asks about the first mention of the term 'stridhana' in ancient Indian texts. 'Stridhana' is a significant concept in ancient Indian law and society, referring to property owned by a woman.
What is Stridhana?
'Stridhana' literally translates to 'woman's property'. In the context of ancient India, it encompassed various types of gifts received by a woman during different stages of her life, such as at the time of her marriage, from her parents, husband, or other relatives. The key characteristic of 'stridhana' was that a woman had absolute ownership and control over this property, unlike some other forms of property where her rights might have been limited.
Analyzing the Options for the First Mention of Stridhana
Let's examine the given options to determine which text first mentions the term 'stridhana'.
- Shatapatha Brahmana: This is a commentary on the Shukla Yajurveda and is one of the Brahmanas, part of the later Vedic texts. While it provides insights into Vedic rituals and society, it does not typically delve into detailed legal concepts like 'stridhana' in the codified manner seen in later texts.
- Sutta Pitaka: This is one of the three main divisions of the Tripitaka, the sacred scripture of Theravada Buddhism. It primarily contains discourses attributed to the Buddha and his close disciples. It deals with Buddhist philosophy, ethics, and monastic life, not Hindu legal concepts like 'stridhana'.
- Arthashastra: Attributed to Kautilya (often identified with Chanakya), the Arthashastra is an ancient Indian treatise on statecraft, economic policy, and military strategy. Composed likely around the 3rd or 4th century BCE, it is known for its detailed and practical approach to governance and administration. The Arthashastra contains specific sections discussing the economic rights of women, including provisions related to their property. The term 'stridhana' is explicitly mentioned and defined in the Arthashastra, discussing a woman's rights over her personal property received from various sources.
- Harshacharita: This is a biography of Emperor Harsha written by Banabhatta in the 7th century CE. It is a historical text providing details about Harsha's reign and the society of that time. While it offers valuable historical and cultural information, it is a literary work from a much later period than the texts where legal terms like 'stridhana' were first systematically discussed.
Identifying the Earliest Text Mentioning Stridhana
Based on the analysis of these texts, the Arthashastra stands out as the earliest known text among the options that explicitly mentions and discusses the concept of 'stridhana' as a woman's distinct property.
| Text | Estimated Period | Relevance to 'Stridhana' |
|---|---|---|
| Shatapatha Brahmana | Later Vedic (c. 8th-6th Century BCE) | Does not explicitly mention 'stridhana'. |
| Sutta Pitaka | Composed after Buddha's death (c. 4th-3rd Century BCE onwards) | Buddhist text, does not deal with Hindu legal term 'stridhana'. |
| Arthashastra | c. 4th-3rd Century BCE | Explicitly mentions and defines 'stridhana'. |
| Harshacharita | 7th Century CE | Later historical text, not the first mention of the term. |
Therefore, the Arthashastra is the text where the term 'stridhana' is first mentioned among the given options.
Revision Table: Key Texts and Stridhana
| Text | Author (Attributed) | Approximate Period | Significance regarding Stridhana |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthashastra | Kautilya (Chanakya) | c. 4th-3rd Century BCE | Contains detailed discussion and definition of 'stridhana'. Considered one of the earliest systematic treatments. |
| Manusmriti | Manu | c. 2nd Century BCE - 3rd Century CE | Also defines 'stridhana' and specifies different types and rules of inheritance. |
| Yajnavalkya Smriti | Yajnavalkya | c. 3rd - 5th Century CE | Expands on the definition and scope of 'stridhana'. |
| Brihaspati Smriti | Brihaspati | c. 4th - 6th Century CE | Further elaborates on women's property rights, including 'stridhana'. |
Additional Information: Women's Property Rights in Ancient India
The concept of 'stridhana' is crucial for understanding the economic position of women in ancient India. While patriarchal structures existed, 'stridhana' provided women with a degree of economic independence and security. Here are some key points:
- 'Stridhana' was considered a woman's exclusive property, which she could dispose of during her lifetime as she wished.
- Different smritis (law books) like Manusmriti and Yajnavalkya Smriti later elaborated on the concept, defining different types of 'stridhana' based on how it was acquired (e.g., gifts from father, mother, husband, brother, gifts before fire, gifts on the bridal procession).
- Upon a woman's death, the inheritance rules for her 'stridhana' were often distinct from other family property, typically favoring her daughters.
- The scope and definition of 'stridhana' evolved over time across different legal texts and regions.
- The mention of 'stridhana' in the Arthashastra highlights its recognition as a legal category of property rights for women even in an early period focused on state administration and law.
Important Questions from Mauryan polity - Teaching
Given below are two statements, one labelled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R) .
Assertion (A): The very existence of Kautilya at the time of Chandragupta Maurya is regarded as doubtful.
Reason (R): Patanjali does not mention Kautilya, though he refers to the sabha of Chandragupta and to the Mauryas. Megasthenes, the ambassador of Seleucus to the court of Chandragupta does not notice Kautilya.
In the context of the above statements, which of the following is correct ?
Who of the following officer was in-charge of land revenue department in the Mauryan administrative system ?
