The play throws some light on the condition of women. The princesses of
Videha publicly go to the hermitage of Vishvamitra. Sita comes out with
her attendants to dissuade Rama from meeting Jamadagnya and makes a
public entry with him on his return to Ayodhya. The old queens come out
to meet their children. Yet it must not be supposed that Hindu women
enjoyed the same freedom of intercourse as their European sisters. As
now, there used to be separate apartments for women. As now, they were
not admitted to an equality with men. The princesses of Videha do not
carry on conversation with the princes of Ajodhya. Sita does not come
out to pay her respects to the seniors, but her salute is announced from
within. There is now more seclusion of Hindu women as the result of the
influence of past Mahammedan rule. The influence of British rule is now
promoting the cause of female liberty.