Vol. 4, Issue 9, Part D (2018)

Abstract
In the entire sub-continent, Kashmir has the distinction of possessing a well recorded history since ancient times. The old Kashmiri texts, Rajatarangini of Kalhana and Nilmata Purana, throw light on the status of women in early Kashmir society. The most revealing feature of the family-life of Kashmir, as seen in these texts is the position of women. Nowhere is she considered 'the living torch illuminating the way to hell' or ‘the devourer of the intellect of men'. There is no reference to seclusion or veiling of women in Kashmir and she moves quite freely in the society, emulating as it were the free-going sparkling waters of the springs of her country. The picture of society as depicted by Kalhana in his chronicle shows that by this time, woman had emerged from the domestic arena on the political stage. The queens had their own treasures and were actively associated with the affairs of the state. Through this research paper I would highlight the position of women in ancient Kashmir.