Education of Women: A high standard of learning and culture was reached by Indian
women during the Vedic age. In addition to training in the arts of housekeeping
they learnt music and dancing. Like boys, girls had to undergo the upanayana
ceremony. There were two classes of educated women, Sadyodwahas–
who prosecuted studies till their marriages and Bramhavadinis who
did not marry and pursued their studies though out their lives. Women were also
taught the Vedas and Vedangas, but the extent of their study was restricted only
to those hymns which were necessary for the Yajna (sacrifice) or other
ritualistic operations. Women sages were called Rishikas. The
Rigveda mentions the name of some of some of the famous women seers like
Ghosha, Apala, Lopamudra, Visvavara, Indrani, etc. who composed hymns. During
the Upanishad period we find scholarly women like Maitreyi and Gargi taking
part in public debates and discussions with philosophers and sages.

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