Purdah or Ghunghat, a Powerful Means to Control Women: A Study of Rural Muslim and Non-Muslim Women in Western Uttar Pradesh, India

Lakshmi Devi and Manvinder Kaur

Indian Journal of Gender Studies, 2019, vol. 26, issue 3, 336-349

Abstract: In selected villages in Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh, purdah or ghunghat (veiling) observed by all married women of both the Muslim and non-Muslim communities plays a significant role in restraining and prohibiting their participation in social and economic roles. The tradition is perceived to enhance the status of the women as well as of the family among both communities. While women within the home could be relaxed, they had to observe strict veiling when outdoors. Muslim women wear burqa (usually it is black in colour used to cover from head to toe), while non-Muslim women wear dupatta (usually a 2.5 m long cloth) or end of the sari (usually a 6 m long cloth) to cover the face properly while going outside the home.

Keywords: Muslim; non-Muslim; village; Saharanpur; Uttar Pradesh; India (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:indgen:v:26:y:2019:i:3:p:336-349

DOI: 10.1177/0971521519861162

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