This paper attempts to develop an explanation for women's unequal position in society keeping in mind Raja Ram Mohan Roy's views on women's right to property. It appears that he saw gender inequalities to be a consequence of the denial of rights to women. Accordingly, it also focuses on how increase in polygamy made the plight of women more dreadful leading them to either commit Sati or otherwise opt for deplorable widowhood. It also deals with other areas of women's concern - such as widow remarriage, female education, female infanticide, respect for women, etc.