a historical perspective

This is a sincere attempt to trace the evolution and progress of women from times immemorial to the present times. The task is challenging and formidable but with divine help I propose to undertake it!
Woman-mother,sister,wife,daughter,lover,muse,nature,shakti,power,harmony,love,compassion,yang,durga,kali,laxmi,fertility,creatrix and many other.
In pre-historic times the role of a woman was confined to that of a home-maker. She was the mother,wife,sister and daughter. The man did the hunting and the woman the cooking. Life was simple and harmonious.
With the introduction of farming the responsibilities of the woman increased. She had to do ploughing and tilling along with her other responsibilities. However life continued to be simple and harmonious.
As the human being evolved,education gained in importance. Now women also started acquiring better skills to be able to do their tasks more efficiently. After the basic needs were fulfilled,culture started becoming important. Dance,music,poetry,literature,theatre and other forms of expression gained in importance. Women gained in prestige and respect and started participating in public life. This was perhaps the most glorious period of civilization.
As religion gained importance the woman's personality also changed. She too accepted the challenge and undertook the journey to the infinite! In certain cultures she was assigned a superior role and became the guide and the teacher.
With the advent of science and a materialistic perspective the decline of the woman started. The acquisition of wealth,trade,domination and conquest became more important and the man took over! The woman was considered as a chattel and a plaything. She could be bought,sold,exchanged and was treated as inferior to man. Art,culture,music,literature and the other aesthetic values were thrown into the dustbin. The balance was disturbed!
Women revolted and started demanding equality. This movement originated in the West and gradually spread to the East.. Slowly life improved for women and they again regained their dignity.
In the present times the conflict between man and woman has reached its zenith! Both are facing an identity crisis and are trying to assert their supremacy. The result is discord,violence,destruction and chaos.
Hopefully the present situation will change and the earlier balance and harmony will be restored!