Women Life in Royal Harem- A Study Based on Nāṭyaśāstra And Mālavikāgnimitra

Almost all the ancient dynasties of kings had the practice of constructing harems for their women. It was expected to be an abode where women could enjoy utmost freedom. Was that a place of peace and happiness? What was the status of women in royal harem? These questions lead to the 34 th chapter of the Nāṭyaśāstra, where a detailed description of the female inmates of the royal harem is given. This paper tries to evaluate the description of the inmates of harem given in Nāṭyaśāstra in light of the real-life situation provided in - Mālavikāgnimitra. Keywords Ancient Indian society- women's life- harem-patriarchy- Nāṭyaśāstra- Kālidāsa- Mālavikāgnimitra