In medieval India women were not usually involved in which of the following professions ?

The correct answer is - Scribe

Key Points

• Scribe
  • In medieval India, the profession of a scribe involved writing and recording important documents, often for royal courts, religious institutions, or administrative purposes.
  • It was traditionally dominated by educated men, as formal education and literacy were largely inaccessible to women during this era.
  • Social norms and restrictions on women’s roles in public and administrative life prevented them from taking on such professions.
  • This profession required specialized skills, including knowledge of scripts like Brahmi, Devanagari, or Persian, which were not commonly taught to women.

Additional Information

• Women in other professions
  • Despite restrictions, women in medieval India were involved in various professions, such as:
    • Hawking milk and ghee: Women frequently sold dairy products in local markets, as this was considered an extension of household responsibilities.
    • Corn milling: Women often engaged in milling and grinding grains, which were essential domestic and community tasks.
    • Building construction: While rare, women sometimes participated in construction work as laborers, especially in rural areas or during large projects.
  • These professions were considered more acceptable for women due to their alignment with traditional gender roles and physical labor requirements.
• Gender roles in medieval India
  • Social norms and cultural practices restricted women’s access to education and professional opportunities.
  • Professions requiring literacy or intellectual skills, such as being a scribe, were generally reserved for men.
  • Women’s contributions were often limited to domestic tasks or informal labor within the community.
• Historical context
  • Medieval India was characterized by a patriarchal society where men dominated administrative, religious, and scholarly roles.
  • Efforts to educate women were rare and typically restricted to royal or elite families.
  • Women’s participation in professions was influenced by caste, class, and regional differences.