<P> Purdah or pardah (from Persian: پرده ‎ ‎, meaning "curtain") is a religious and social practice of female seclusion prevalent among some Muslim and Hindu communities in South Asia . It takes two forms: physical segregation of the sexes and the requirement that women cover their bodies so as to cover their skin and conceal their form . A woman who practices purdah can be referred to as pardanashin or purdahnishan . </P> <P> Physical segregation within buildings is achieved with judicious use of walls, curtains, and screens . A woman's withdrawal into purdah usually restricts her personal, social and economic activities outside her home . The usual purdah garment worn is a burqa, which may or may not include a yashmak, a veil to conceal the face . The eyes may or may not be exposed . </P>

Purdah is the indian practice of doing which of these