This book is an attempt to present the position of householder women and mendicant women from a historical point of view. Here, for the first time, we read of women with true aspirations and strong will, who seek more, better in life. For the study of householder women the author has used material found in the canonical literature, commentaries thereon, the Jatakas and the Milindapanha, while for the description of mendicant women most of the material has been collected from the Vinaya-pitaka, the Therigatha and commentaries. The study reveals the spiritual experiences of some householder and mendicant women. It also throws light on the different social conditions prevailing during the Buddha's lifetime and immediately after it.