Evolution of the Concept of the Protection of Street Children in Ancient India
Author : Dr. Sheetal Thakur
Abstract :
Children have always occupied a special place in Indian society, and the protection of their dignity, security and well-being can be traced to the social, ethical and legal traditions of ancient India. The concept of protecting children, however, was not expressed in the contemporary language of “child rights” or “street children.” Nevertheless, ancient Indian texts, social institutions and normative traditions reflected concerns relating to the care, upbringing, education, welfare and protection of children who were vulnerable or without adequate family support. This paper explores the historical evolution of the idea of protecting children in vulnerable circumstances, with particular attention to children who may, in the contemporary context, be understood as street children. The study examines references from ancient Indian sources, including the Vedas, Dharmashastra literature, the epics and the Arthashastra, to understand how society and governing institutions perceived their responsibilities towards children. It seeks to identify the values of compassion, social responsibility, community care and protection embedded within these traditions and considers their relevance to the protection of vulnerable children. At the same time, the paper recognises that ancient social structures were fundamentally different from the modern legal framework of child rights and therefore avoids imposing contemporary concepts directly upon historical society.
The paper further traces how the traditional understanding of care and protection gradually developed into a more formal conception of children's welfare, eventually reflected in modern constitutional principles, child-protection legislation and human-rights standards. By connecting historical traditions with contemporary concerns, the study demonstrates that the protection of vulnerable children has deep social and ethical roots in India, even though its legal expression has evolved significantly over time. The paper concludes that understanding this historical journey can contribute to a more humane approach to contemporary street-connected children, one that views them not merely as objects of welfare but as individuals entitled to dignity, protection, opportunities and meaningful participation in society.
Keywords :
Street Children, Child Protection, Ancient India, Child Welfare, Human Dignity, Social Responsibility, Child Rights, Indian Legal Tradition.
