Nostalgia

'I am not sure that I agree with what you have to say about women in classical India. I think you display a consistent 'Western bias' in whatever you believe about the 'Indian context'. Women in those bygone days were much freer than women in contemporary India and even in the so-called 'liberal West' today'.

'And what makes you say that?'

'Well, women then enjoyed as many powers and liberties that men possessed.'

'Ah, but there is a subtle point.'

'What is that?'

'Women enjoyed only as many powers and liberties as men declared were suitable for women!'