The correct option is 1 and 3 only
Explanation
In the agrarian society of medieval India, particularly during the Mughal period, women played a significant role not only in agricultural production but also in the ownership and management of land. Historical records and legal traditions indicate that women possessed property rights and actively participated in the rural economy.
Statement 1 is Correct:
Women were entitled to inherit property under Islamic law (Sharia). Historical documents from the period show that women, including widows, frequently inherited land and zamindari rights. They were free to sell or mortgage these rights, indicating legal recognition of their ownership status.
Statement 2 is Incorrect:
The zamindari of Rajshahi was not exclusively held by men. In eighteenth-century Bengal, several zamindaris were held by women. Specifically, the Rajshahi zamindari is a prominent historical example where a woman (most notably Rani Bhabani) was at the helm of administration.
Statement 3 is Correct:
Historical records confirm that women actively participated in the rural land market in Punjab. Women, particularly widows, are recorded as sellers of property they had inherited. This demonstrates that women had agency in economic transactions regarding land in this region.
Key Takeaway:
During the medieval period, women had the legal right to inherit property and actively participated in the management and sale of land and zamindaris, contrary to the perception of exclusive male ownership.