As literature is the portrait of the society, our aim and object of this paper is to uncover the life of the working women in the ancient and medieval Bengal, as depicted in literature of that period. As a prelude, economic and social condition of Bengal is discussed in brief. Life on the one side was full of pomp and luxury and on the other it was full of want and austerity. But the woman had to struggle hard for the upliftment of their own life and of the society too. As Bengal was mainly of agro-based culture, women had to participate in agricultural production. Society was divided into different professional sections, where women were active participants in their own society. They worked inside the house and also in the outside and in the fields. Ancient and medieval Bengali literature depicts the women in various works, profession and activities whatever they do, they were self-contented with their work and their contribution to the society..
It is commonly said that literature is the portrait of the society. In Bengali literature between the eighth and twelfth centuries well as between twelfth and eighteenth centuries, apart from the contemporary historical accounts, travelogues and biographical works, we find the picture of the social and cultural life of ancient Bengal. These literary sources are generally used for reconstruction of the socio-cultural life of Bengali women of both the old and medieval period. Our aim and object of this paper is to uncover, in particular, the life of the working women in that period. As a prelude, economic and social condition of Bengal may be discussed first.
With a plenty of alluvial soil and industrious people, Bengal was one of the richest countries in the East. The