A skeleton lied. Declaring that it was of a man. Somebody – really big and famous. The 5000-year-old grave had elephant tusks. For easing the way to the afterlife. And so, the “Ivory Man” was glorified in all of Iberia. This took place in 2008. The place, Sevilla, Spain.

Then re-sexing happened. DNA tests of the teeth enamel said it was a woman. 13 years later.

‘Archaeologists are unearthing the most powerful women who ever lived

Astonishing new archaeological finds and ancient DNA analysis leave no doubt that throughout prehistory women were rulers, warriors, hunters and shamans.’ Says Laura Spinney’s article in the NewScientist. August 2, 2025, issue.

Men and women were largely of equal status. Centuries ago. Judging by “grave goods”, 10,000 years old. Till farming came along. With farming came wealth. With wealth inheritance. Father to son. The beginning of patriarchy. Continues till today in most of the world. Ms. Spinny continues.

And India? Worshippers of Godesses Durga, Kali, Saraswati? REMAINS A laggard in the gender inequality. Ranked 122 of 193 nations according to a UNDP study of 2021. With a marginal improvement in 2022 by 14 ranks. Still a deplorable rank of 108.

Digging deeper. Which states are the culprits? India’s patriarchy index, state wise. In a report called “The Gender Project” by UC San Diego School of Medicine. Meghalaya that has a matrilineal society ranks first with the lowest patriarchy. And guess the major offenders. Rajasthan and Haryana share the honors. Southern states generally exhibiting a low level of patriarchy.