Women in the Medieval period had to face a number of problems of which the following may be noted : a).Practice of Child Marriage : Though the practice of child marriage has emerged during the period o Dharamshastras, it has now become almost inescapable. The fear that Muslim invaders would kidnap or seduce the girls brought heavy pressure on the parents to arrange the marriage of their daughters at a very early age. Young girls had to bear the brunt of the family life, get children at an inappropriate age and bring them up, when they themselves were mentally immature. Those who were unfortunate enough to lose their husbands at an early age had to spend the rest of their lives in the most pitiable manner. b).Prohibition of Widow Remarriage : Dharmashastras strictly prohibited the widow remarriages. The glorification of the ideal of 'pativratya' was another hurdle in the path of widow remarriage. Child widow had a miserable life. They were denied education, public life and most of the religious activities were tabooed for them. Their very presence on important occasions was considered to be disgraceful for they were treated as a symbol of ill-omen. They were made to work like servants throughout their lives. Prohibition of sex life for them made a few to lead an immoral life and some even became prostitutes. To prevent such sex offences, child widows were forced to shave their heads and forsake all types of beautification. c).Practice of Sati : The widespread practice of "Sati" during the Medieval period indicates the decline in the status of Indian women. 'Sati' refers to a practice in which the married women used to jump into the funeral pyre of their husbands with the hope of attaining 'Sadgati' or 'Moksha'. It was actually an act of self-immolation. The glorification of Pativratya and the degraded and intolerable widow life made many women to become 'sutees'. There was also the horrible practice of 'johar' in which the Rajput women used to immolate themselves collectively with a view to protect their chastity whenever it was very much endangered. d).Pardah System : Pardah system refers to the pracrice of women wearing a gown or veil to cover their face and upper part of the body. It was a common practice among the Muslims of Medieval India. Before the Muslims invasion of India pardah system was in practice only in the wealthy and royal classes among the Hindus but after the Muslim invasion, the Hindu women were also forced to wear the 'pardah' mainly to escape from the lecherous eyes of men and to protect themselves from being kidnapped or seduced. e).Devdasi System : Devdasi system represents another social evil which caused the degradation of Indian women. t is a custom that denies, in the name of religion, martial opportunity to women, insisting on them to become 'devdasis' or 'basavis' to serve the God in the temple as dancers and singers. The devdasis and basavis were compelled by the circumstances to become prostitutes. This system grew into a social evil during the Medieval age and spoiled the prospects of many young girls.
