Which one of the following statements about the Gupta period in Indian history is not correct? [CDS 2017 (II)]
A. Sanskrit language and literature, after centuries of evolution, reached what has been described as a level of classical excellence through royal patronage.
B. The status of women was redefined. They were entitled to formal education and hence there were women teachers, philosophers and doctors. Early marriage was prohibited by law and they were given the right to property
C. Decentralisation of administrative authority was impacted by increased grants of land and villages with fiscal and administrative immunities to priests and temples
D. Land grants paved the way for feudal developments and emergence of selfdom in India, resulting in the depression of the peasantry
Answer: The status of women was redefined. They were entitled to formal education and hence there were women teachers, philosophers and doctors. Early marriage was prohibited by law and they were given the right to property
Option b is the correct answer.
During the Gupta Empire period, the condition of women gradually declined, leading to their subordination within the society. Women were assigned a secondary position and were expected to obey their father before marriage, their husband after marriage, and their son in later life. While education was valued during this era, women faced limitations and were not allowed to study sacred texts or participate in rituals. Furthermore, women did not have the right to property. It is important to note that despite these constraints on women, the Gupta Empire was recognized as the Golden Age of India in fields such as science, mathematics, astronomy, religion, and philosophy.