The Zenana Women

The Zenana Women comprises some historical events as well as some incidents from contemporary life, with their shares of joy and sorrow. The author feels that having lived in purdah for a long time, women have grown accustomed to the secluded life. This chapter describes the personal experiences of a few women, explaining their secluded life. It mentions that the cloistering of upper-class women, practiced in the whole of India, is not only to segregate them from the men but also from the women. Unmarried girls are not allowed to walk into the presence of any women except for close relatives and maids. Married women also keep out of the sight of female magicians, jugglers and other itinerant professional performers and entertainers. She who can keep most secluded and remains hiding in the corner of the house like an owl is the more honourable. Keywords:secluded life; Zenana Women