question_answer

Read the following paragraph carefully and answer the questions that follow:

The Child Sad

This is perhaps one of the most poignant descriptions by Bernier:

At Lahore, I saw a most beautiful young widow sacrificed, who could not, I think, have been more than twelve years of age. The poor little creature appeared more dead than alive when she approached the dreadful pit: the agony of her mind cannot be described; she trembled and wept bitterly; but three or four of the Brahmana's, assisted by an old woman who held her under the arm, forced the unwilling victim toward the fatal spot, seated her on the wood, tied her hands and feet, lest she should run away, and in that situation the innocent creature was burnt alive. I found it difficult to repress my feelings and to prevent their bursting forth into clamorous and unavailing rage...

(i) Why did Bernier consider this treatment as a crucial marker of the difference between western and eastern societies?

(ii) What role did the Indian patriarchal society play towards this social evil?

(iii) Compare the condition of the women of the era mentioned above to that of today.

 

Answer:

(i) Bernier considered this treatment as a crucial marker of difference between western and eastern society because:

1. In the western societies women took part in administration but in the eastern societies women were exploited badly.

2. Women enjoyed rights in the western society while no rights were given to them in the eastern society.

3. Women received education in the west but in the eastern society there was no education and many social evils like sad, purdah system and child marriages existed.

4. Eastern societies were male dominated unlike the western.

(ii) Indian patriarchal society

1. It was a male dominated society where women had no rights, were ill-treated, discriminated and confined to the house.

2. Social inequalities were prominent and thus led to these social evils.

(iii) Comparison of condition of women

1. In medieval era women had no rights but today sati, slavery has been prohibited.

2. Today?s women are well educated and assertive.

3. In this era there is women empowerment.

4. She has social .economic and political rights.