IT is commonly believed that there has been a consistent attempt to ‘invisibilise’ women in history, so that their contribution is met by a vast silence. This invisibility varies over time and space, social and cultural practices and even if space is conceded to women, it exists only “within clearly defined parameters.” Thus depiction of women as passive beings or as playing insignificant roles, an overemphasis on the management of their sexuality and their roles as mothers/wives and an underestimation of their contribution as decision makers are all aspects of this ‘distorted visibility”, points out the author. This, in time, makes their visibility as ‘problematic’ as their invisibility.
The book examines some important aspects of the society and polity of early medieval north India between the 7th and 13th century AD from a gender perspective. It examines the available epigraphic and literary sources of important kingdoms located in Kashmir, Kannauj and across Bengal and Bihar. Thus three case studies are presented of major regional politics in the early medieval context as “also because of an element of mutuality in their histories.”
While presenting a two-pronged gender analysis of the early medieval period in north India, there is the issue of situating women in the socio-political milieu of the period and the problems and possibilities inherent in such an exercise. On the other hand, the insensitivity to the period is highlighted to show the manner in which the presence and agency of women has been trivialised, ignored, or ‘explained away’.
The book is divided into three main sections dealing with the early medieval kingdoms of Kashmir, Kannauj and Bengal-Bihar. Each section has chapters on the sources and historical background; a detailed gender analysis; and a concluding summary. The study concludes with a comprehensive summing up of the evidence and analysis, the overall aim being to stop the perpetration of a gender-blind ‘(non) understanding’ of the past and to ‘engender history in as many directions as possible’.
There is a palpable difference between the role and presence of women in Kashmir, Kannauj and Bengal-Bihar. The literary sources for Kashmir, specifically Kalahana’s Rajatarangini, show the existence of a formidable female power, ranging from formal political authority to informal influence behind the throne to active participation in socio-political life and spanning four major dynasties of the period. Stellar examples are the rulers Sugandha and Didda, the powerful queen Suryamati and a range of female donors and influential courtesans, from both the royal and non-royal sections of the society.
The section on Kashmir examines the extent of female power in the kingdom and the factors that enabled women to wield authority and register their active presence. In addition certain issues are raised – Are the sources of the period equally objective in recording the power and presence of women? What, if any, are the distortions in the history of the women of Kashmir? What impelled Kalhana to make women crucial features of his text and render details of their masterful presence?
The role of women in the political networks of the early medieval period is a crucial issue. Political bonds, including marital alliances and interests, invested women with great importance. Women played a significant role in the creation of alliance structures that forged links between kingly groups. These marriage alliances were techniques for legitimising and conflict-reducing and as pointers in the involvement of women in political bonds.
The author expounds on the role of women in fostering rivalries among sibling claimants to the throne. Harem rivalries at the court show that a more powerful queen could foster and accomplish the ambition of her son against the natural heir. Non-royal women played varied roles – ranging from political participation and influence in Kashmir to being donors and builders in the kingdoms of Kanauj and Bengal-Bihar. The study also focuses exclusively on power equations and relations between men and women as also the imaging of the latter in relation to the former.
This book would interest primarily students of history, sociology, anthropology and cultural studies.
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