Women & Education: A Historical Analysis of Gender Gap in India

Education by far is considered the best way to achieve gender equality. Scholars considereducation to be a great social equalizer. However, it is not always the main factor behind any significant social change. At times, changes in political, economic or legal structure affects social structure, thought process and practices. This is evident once we peep into Indian history to trace the roots of exclusion of women from education that led to her subordination. The paper traces the roots of gender inequality with respect to education from origin of human civilization to the Vedic, post-Vedic to the age of Dharmashastrasand age of Islam in India down to the Mughal and colonial rule in India. One commonality across the ages-women at large had been denied educationsince post-Vedic times, with the exception of few royal and elite women. The aim of education was mainly to train them to become good wives and mothers and attain good virtues required to run the household. Even the social reformers of the early nineteenth century who took up the cause of women's education did not aim to empower women but educate them to be good wives and mothers.