Origins of Purdah

 Published in Asia week on April 3, 1998

"THE ASIAN LANGUAGE" (Feb 13) says that "purdah was introduced in northern India by Islamic invaders." It may actually have been the other way around. Long before Islam appeared the Hindus of northern India (descended from the conquering Aryans) were already secluding their women to defend them from other invaders.The Dravidians never adopted purdah, not because Islam did not penetrate into the region but because they were a conquered race, and the caste system of the Hindus compelled them to work in fields and to indulge in menial jobs. 

The veil, of course, was part of Arab culture before Islam. However, instead of confining women to their homes, Islam allowed men and women to work side by side, especially during the wars which took place at the time. In fact, the first wife of the Prophet Muhammad was a businesswoman. Moreover, Islam prescribes no punishment for any woman who does not observe purdah. 

Islam is opposed to immodest dress and behavior, the kind that can result in women being exploited. Although thousands of Muslim girls work in offices and factories in Islamic countries, you never hear allegations or even rumors of the kind which are being made about President Clinton and Monica Lewinsky. 

Shakir Lakhani,

Clifton, Karachi