Which one of the following statements about the Gupta period in Indian History is not correct?

The Gupta period is often celebrated as a 'classical age' where Sanskrit literature reached excellence under royal patronage, exemplified by the works of Kalidasa . Administratively, the era saw decentralization through land grants to priests and temples, which included fiscal and administrative immunities [1]. These grants fostered feudal developments and the emergence of serfdom, leading to the depression of the peasantry . However, the statement regarding the status of women is incorrect. While some elite women were educated, there was no legal prohibition of early marriage; in fact, the practice of child marriage increased during this period. Furthermore, women's property rights remained severely restricted to 'stridhana' (movable property), and they were generally excluded from formal public roles like doctors or philosophers in a systemic capacity, marking a decline in their social status compared to the Vedic period.

Sources

1. [1] Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 7: The Gupta Era: An Age of Tireless Creativity > LET'S EXPLORE > p. 156