Marriage Practices in British Garhwal

British Administration in Garhwal   -178

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History of British Rule/Administration over Kumaun and Garhwal (1815-1947) -198

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            History of Uttarakhand (Garhwal, Kumaon and Haridwar) -1031

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                              By: Bhishma Kukreti (History Student)

    

    Khas society was liberal society in marriage. There were following customs of marriage –

                            ‘Bheer lage ‘or marriage in own Gotra           

  There was system of marrying in own Gotra or group (Bheed lage). If a Brahmin used to maary a scheduled caste girl that marriage was not called marriage. In some regions, as Jaunsar or Nagpur, Khas Brahmin used to marry Khas Rajput girl. But in other part, Brahmins used to marry with Brahmins , Rajput with Rajput. If an upper caste used to marry with untouchable or lower caste girl he was ousted from society and called ‘Doom’ or he was penalized Khastal or Doomtal (ousting from caste).

             The cross fertilization was involved into marriage system The person was not allowed to marry with the caste of her/his grandmothers and mothers.

                Kanyadan marriage was the status symbol in the society. In kanyadan, the father of girl did not take money from the groom side. In other cases, bride’s father used to take money from groom’s family or called Take ka Vivah. Mostly, Kanyadan was limited to higher Brahmins and higher Rajput classes.

     In Taka Vivah  or Takaun Byau, there was not necessary groom going to bride’s village. A couple of men used to bring bride without marriage procession.

         There was system of haldihath, knakan painan, Nath pahrai, pani dhar puja in marriages. Panidhar Puja by newly bride was a must.

        Jhirfuk system was also live there in British period. Lovers used to marry at a temple by a bush.

 Many corrupt writers named take ka vivah as daughter sales. It was not so. The system was because of shortage of females. No Brahmin father used to marry his daughter with Rajput by taking money or no Rajput father used to marry his daughter to scheduled cast boy by taking money.

   

     

References  

1-Shiv Prasad Dabral ‘Charan’, Uttarakhand ka Itihas, Part -7 Garhwal par British -Shasan, part -1, page- 343-456

2- Atkinson, Himalayan Districts Vol.3

 3- Asiatic Researches Vo.l 6

4- Pannalal , Customary law in Kumaon page 6 to 8

5- Joshi Khas Family law

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Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti Mumbai, India,bjkukreti@gmail.com 20/9/201710History of Garhwal – Kumaon-Haridwar (Uttarakhand, India) to be continued… Part -1032

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*** History of British Rule/Administration over British Garhwal (Pauri, Rudraprayag, and Chamoli1815-1947) to be continued in next chapter

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(The History of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar write up is aimed for general readers)

 History of British Garhwal, History of Devalgarh Garhwal; History of Badhan Garhwal; History of Barasyun Garhwal; History of Chandpur Garhwal; History of Chaundkot Garhwal; History of  Gangasalan Garhwal;  History of Mallasalan Garhwal;  History ofTallasaln Garhwal; History of Dashauli Garhwal; History of Nagpur Garhwal; Sociity  in British Garhwal. History of British Garhwal, History of Social Structure and Religious Faith in Chamoli Garhwal, History of Social Structure and Religious Faith of Pauri Garhwal ,  Social and Culture History of Rudraprayag Garhwal