explain how social differences between men …

1. For men, the Manusmriti declares, there are seven means of acquiring wealth. These are: Inheritance, finding, purchase, conquest, investment, work and acceptance of gifts from good people.

2. And the six means for women: What was given in front of the fire (marriage) or the bridal procession or as a token of affection and what she got from her brother, mother or father. In addition, any subsequent gift and whatever her affectionate husband might give her.

3. According to the Manusmriti, the paternal estate was to be divided equally amongst sons after the death of the parents, with a special share for the eldest. Women could not claim a share of these resources.

4. However, women were allowed to retain the gifts they received on the occasion of their marriage as Stridhana (literally, a woman's wealth). This could be inherited by their children, without the husband having any claim on it. At the same time, the Manusmriti warned women against hoarding family property, or even their own valuables, without the husband's permission.

5. We know about some wealthy women such as the Vakataka queen Prabhavati Gupta. However, cumulative evidence - both epigraphic and textual-suggests that while upper-class women may have been access to resources, land, cattle and money were generally controlled by men.