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[Full title: Position of Women (in ancient India); (3): Political Status of Women]

Warriors: In the political field also women were not neglected. Kaikeyi's expertness in driving the war-chariot of Dasaratha in his battle with the disgruntled candidates on the occasion of her 'svayamvara' denotes that women did take part in fighting (24. 23). There is a reference to Rama who along with some soldiers disguised as a dancing and panegyric girl (caranakanna 37. 59) captured the enemy-king in the battlefield. It alludes to the fact that girls were employed for a political-strategy and they probably even knew how to wield weapons. Further the Paumacariya reveals that Lankasundari in defence of the fort of Lanka fought with Hanumat She drove in a war-chariot and handled various kinds of weapons as an expert fighter¹ (52. 12-15). That the women took part in fighting is corroborated by other. evidences. Patanajali uses Saktiki (on Panini, 4. 1. 15) which denotes female spear-bearers. Kautilya records that the king is received by the women armed with bows at the time of getting up from his bed (1.21. 1). Megasthenese refers to women in chariots, on horses and elephants. and equipped with weapons.2 Administrators-The women worked not only in the military but they worked even as administrators. These were the posts of highest order in the political world and were the most honoured positions in the society. Thus the Paumacariya mentions that king Nahusa on the occasion of his departure from the capital on a war-campaign handed over the reigns of government to his queen Simhika (22.57). In the absence of 1. Muncai sare, pesei satti 52.14; vijjabalasannihiya moggarasarajhasarabhindamalaim muneai......vijju va calahattha-52.15. 2- The Age of Imperial Unity; B. V. Bhavan (1953), p, 564.

SOCIAL CONDITIONS 367 her husband the country was invaded by enemies but Simhika fought bravely and chased off the invaders and their forces. This incident speaks of the capacity and ability of the woman-class in carrying the administration of the country. Kalyanamala, the princess of Kubaranagara (Kuvvaranayara 77. 48) was ruling the country in the disguise of a prince when the king, her father was kidnapped by some Mlecchas (34. 18-23). All these examples indicate that women were not considered to be unfit for higher responsibilities but whenever the occasion arose they were duly appointed to discharge the functions of the most upgraded post of rulership.