question_answer 14)

Suggest reasons why women in 19th century India were obliged to continue wearing traditional Indian dress even when men switched over to more convenient Western clothing. What does this show about the position of women in society?  

Answer:

In the 19th century, Indian men switched over to more convenient Western clothing but women were obliged to continue wearing traditional Indian dress because they were bound by the traditions, customs and social values of India. Indian society was a patriarchal society or a male dominated society and women were supposed to uphold the family honour and wear traditional clothes. This implies that the women were considered inferior to men in Indian society.