Final answer:
During the early Vedic period, women in India had some authority and participated in religious activities. However, patriarchy and Islamic customs led to the marginalization and social isolation of women in later periods.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the early Vedic period in India, women had some authority and could participate in religious activities. However, they were still legally dependent on the men in their lives. In the post-Vedic period, patriarchy became more domineering, and women were marginalized further with the spread of Islamic customs.
Overall, the status of women changed from having some authority during the early Vedic period to being socially isolated in later periods.