The term 'stridhana' is first mentioned in which of the following texts?

Correct option is C

The correct answer is (C) Arthashastra

Explanation:
• 'Stridhana' refers to a woman's separate property, over which she had relative autonomy. While the concept of women owning certain gifts existed earlier, Kautilya's 'Arthashastra' (4th century BCE) is the first to provide a technical definition and legal framework for it.
• According to the Arthashastra, Stridhana consists of 'Vritti' (means of subsistence/endowment) and 'Abadhya' (ornaments). It included gifts received at the time of marriage (Adhyagnika) or during the bridal procession.
• Kautilya specifies that a woman could use this money in times of emergency or if she was widowed. This represents an early legal recognition of women's economic rights in ancient India.
• Later Smriti texts like Manusmriti and Yajnavalkyasmriti expanded on the types and inheritance of Stridhana.

Information Booster:
• In the Mauryan period, women were also employed as royal bodyguards and spies.
• Widow remarriage was permitted under certain conditions in the Arthashastra.

Additional Knowledge:
• Shatapatha Brahmana (Option A): Discusses Vedic rituals and the role of the wife (Patni) as the 'half-body' of the husband, but not technical property law.
• Sutta Pitaka (Option B): Contains Buddhist teachings; while it discusses social issues, it is not a legal manual.
• Harshacharita (Option D): A biography of King Harsha by Banabhatta (7th century CE), written much later than the concept's origin.