Most Ancient Aryan Society

Author(s): Ram Chandra Jain
Publisher: Institute of Bharatalogical Research Sriganganagar Rajasthan

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Egypt imported custom of matrilineal descent from her first colonisers. Monogamy was the general custom. In Sumer, women could own land wich ensured their economic independence. Goddess was the supervising deity of the realm. Terracotta figurines of nude females in meditative and contemplative postures unearthed in the earliest level at Ur reveal the high status women enjoyed in the Sumerian society. Woman was equal partner of man in Bhārata and various figurines, seals and steallites unearthed at Harappa and Mohenjodaro show the high status women hield in the society. The Irānian culture before the advent of Irānāryans was probably matriarchal, having close relationship with the Indus culture. Both were of the same spirit and origin. We do not know for certain whether the social base in the whole region was matriarchal or not but it appears to be matriarchal in a large part of it but womanhood enjoyed the highest status and prestige in the whole of the region. She was definitely not a chattal to satisfy the vulgar and exploitative whims of man. She was free, independent and in her own.
Family was the social unit. As the family was based on a single individual, it was of necessity small. The marriage took place outside the family. The descent was generally matri-lineal. Patri-lineal descent was also in vogue in certain parts. There could not have been family tensions owing to the absence of a large family due to the marital custom of monogamy. Monogamy was compulsory on private persons and upto the twentieth Dynasty was practised by monarchy also. Polygamy was unknown to the inhabitants of the Nile valley, it was very strictly prohibited and even licensed councubinage confined to the kings. Women constantly appeared in public ; were equal in the eye of law; could ascend the throne and administer