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Why were women not respected in the Later Vedic Period
In the later Vedic period, there was significant decline in the status of women. Household became an important unit in the later Vedic age. The variety of households of the Rig Vedic era gave way to an idealized household which was headed by a grihapati. The relations between husband and wife, father and son were hierarchically organised and the women were relegated to subordinate and docile roles. Various professions women took to are mentioned in the later Vedic texts. Women tended to cattle, milked cows, carded wool; were weavers, dyers, and corn grinders. Their participation in Yajnas was not considered necessary. They did not enjoy the right to property. Man's opinion was respected. As a result the freedom to choose the husbands by women was curtailed.


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