Sexual Violence in History: A Bibliography

compiled by Stefan Blaschke

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Introduction

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Alphabetical Index

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Chronological Index

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Geographical Index

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Topical Index

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Start: Topical Index: Cases: Mythological Cases: Ancient History:

Cases: Mythological Cases:
RAPE OF AHALYA

Rape by Indra

»In Hinduism, Ahalya (Sanskrit: अहल्या, IAST: Ahalyā) also spelt as Ahilya, is the wife of the sage Gautama Maharishi. Many Hindu scriptures describe her legend of seduction by the king of the gods Indra, her husband's curse for her infidelity, and her liberation from the curse by the god Rama. (...)
The Bala Kanda of the Ramayana is the earliest text to describe Ahalya's seduction in detail. It states that Indra becomes enamoured by Ahalya's beauty, learns of her husband's absence and comes to the ashram disguised as Gautama to request sexual intercourse with her, praising her as a shapely and slim-waisted woman. She sees through his disguise, but consents owing to her "curiosity". According to another interpretation, Ahalya's pride in her beauty compels her. Having satiated his lust, Ahalya requests that Indra, her "lover" and the "best of gods", flee and protect them from Gautama's wrath.« (Extract from: Wikipedia)

I. Chronological Index: Acnient History: Ancient India | II. Geographical Index: Asia History: Indian History | III. Topical Index: Types: General: Rape; Offenders: Biological Status: Gods

Literary Texts: Rāmāyaṇa