Thread: Position of women in Sindhi society during the rule of Soomra dynasty (1026–1356)

* Woman was not allowed to share the bed of her husband after a child was born, considering her to have become impure, just as they wore clothes only once and not after washing.

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∗ They never married from their tribe like Hindus of Sindh, who picked up brides from families
unknown and unrelated to them.

∗ They were polygamous, an advantage to men Ismailism gave.

∗ They drove out women from the house during menstruation.

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* Women performed “Sati” and burnt themselves on the pyre of their husbands or killed themselves rather than falling in the hands of enemy in case of defeat in a war but for this permission had to be taken from Sultan to burn widow.

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However a good thing was that a widowed woman could also choose to remain a widow and refuse to commit Sati. But the wives of early Soomra kings were burnt whether they liked it or not, as reported by Al-Beruni.

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* Soomra ruling society was to allow women to act as regents during childhood of heir to the throne.

* They also allowed the queens and women of royal families to come in Darbar regularly, participate in deliberations concerning statecraft
and administration.

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* An adulteress was driven out, if it was with consent of both partners both were executed, if a man was guilty of rape he was executed, but fornication among unmarried was tolerated.

Like ancient Egyptians chopping of the nose of an adulteress was allowed.

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This sentence amounted to loss
of the chief and conspicuous feature of the face, an indispensable ornament of human beauty and the greatest detriment of personal charms, which deterred adultery.

* Because of agricultural economy of Sindh, Pardah was not necessary.

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* Women property rights were governed under the Smriti's Law and had some property rights. In general, woman’s right to the property of her husband was equal to that of her sons or at least a half share in case of Brahmans.

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The wife’s share was three-quarters, half and one-fourth in cases of Khatris, Vaishas and Sudras, respectively. The widow’s right to property provided that she had to
remain chaste.

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Since Soomras retained most of Hindu customs at least during their first two hundred years rule while Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism survived side by side, it is fair to assume that these rules were
followed except the Muslims, who allowed one-eighth of property to wives,

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irrespective of number of sons
and daughters. In case of polygamous men, all wives
combined got one-eighth share.

* Men of a higher sept could
take wives from a lower one, but corresponding privilege was denied to the women.

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This resulted into surplus women in higher septs and lack of husbands for them, therefore high prices were paid to get a bridegroom. It is a custom unknown among Sindhi
Muslims and Hindus, but common among Muslims too in areas with Hindu majority.

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* Wine was totally forbidden for women of all classes.

For those who don't know about Soomra dynasty, for them a brief introduction:

Soomras were indigenous rulers of much of today's Sindh, Kutch, areas of South Punjab and Balochistan for nearly three centuries.

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Reference

An illustrated historical atlas of Soomra Kingdom of Sindh by M.H Panhwar.

@MHuzaifaNizam Sir have a look to this thread also