The formation of the heroic identity of women in the light of two concepts of innocence and loyalty in the Persian systems of the Indian subcontinent (Relying on the two poems of Padmavat and Ramayan)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Ph.D student of Persian Language and Literature, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Isfahan. , Isfahan, Iran.

2 Associate Professor of the Department of Persian Language and Literature, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Isfahan,Isfahan, Iran.

3 Associate Professor of the Department of Persian Language and Literature, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Isfahan. isfahan. Iran.

Abstract

Padmavat and Ramayana are two of the masterpieces of Indian Persian Persian literature. Moreover, women have a noteworthy role in these two literary works. Taking into account the position of these two Masnavis in Persian poetry of Subcontinent, we know the identities of the female heroes in these poems is the reason for achieving a more comprehensive point of view of the image of women in a notable part of Persian literature. The current research is accomplished a design and answer two basic questions: 1- Which features are the characteristics of the female protagonists in the narrative poems of Padmavet and Ramin? 2- why these features are significant? And What cultural and social factors are they derived from?
According to the premise of this research, the heroic identity of women in these works is based on two features (innocence and seclusion) and (unconditional loyalty to one's wife). The two mentioned features have a fundamental position in the process of events and the interpretation of the text. After taking a brief look at the mythological-cultural and literary background of these works about women and the social contexts related to the emphasis on the innocence and seclusion of women, the present research is responsible for highlighting the three stages of women's loyalty to their husbands.     
Introduction
In  The vast realm of  ancient Persian literature, there are many stories in which women have a prominent role. In the narrative poems written in the Indian subcontinent, which constitute a significant part of the Persian literary treasure, this issue has a prominent aspect, and in many of them, women are one of the main elements of the narrative works because the focus of the presence of women is one of the characteristics of Indian stories. Therefore, women play a prominent role in these narratives of Persian poems, which are often taken from Indian literature, in advancing the narrative and the process of understanding the meaning of the text from various perspectives. Thus, the present research aims to deal with the representation of the identity of female heroes in both epic poems of Padmavat and Ramayana.in other words, beyond the emotional dimension and the romantic course of their narration, These two Masnavis, contain numerous points about the attitude of the Indian culture and society dealing with the status of women.
Methods
This research has been done based on a library research method and by referring to some primary historical sources as well as books and research articles about the culture and literature of the Indian subcontinent.
Discussion
The emphasis on the seclusion and innocence of women as one of the two elements that shape the heroic image of women in these Masnavis is a reflection of the social attitudes and expectations that existed about the identity of women in the days of Abdul Shakur Bazmi and Mulla Meshai Panipati. In addition, it is the result of combining customs and laws. It is related to women during the period of Muslim government with the ancient beliefs of this land about the praised and Condemned attributes of women. In both poems, the personality of women is introduced as a significant part of the descriptions is devoted to the seclusion and concealment of women. Moreover, the words hidden, chaste, and veiled are repeatedly used about them, which is the result of many situations. Consequently, Stories, actions and reactions depend on emphasizing this feature.
unconditional loyalty to the wife is another feature that has been emphasized as one of the elements of the female protagonist's personality in these poems and the reason for the creation of fictional events. By analyzing the Masnavis, we can achieve to a relatively similar pattern in this field. Three identical situations have been created in these narratives, which are the manifestation of a woman's loyalty to her husband in both epic poems, the loyalty aspect of a woman's character has emerged as a moral value and social expectation from her in the form of these situations.
Conclusion
By examining the image of female heroes in the two epic poems of Padmavat and Ramayana, it is concluded that the heroic identity of women in these works is based on the two characteristics of "innocence and seclusion" and "unconditional loyalty to one's wife". In these poems, other attributes such as beauty and intelligence of a woman are also mentioned but these two attributes, as two  main elements, have built the identity of the female hero in this part of Persian literature. Additionally, other attributes in relation to these two characteristics have the opportunity to emerge. Considering that the female protagonists play a key role in these story narratives, the two mentioned features have a peculiar role in the process of events and the interpretation of the text.
 
 

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