Married Life in British Garhwal

 British Administration in Garhwal   -179

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History of British Rule/Administration over Kumaun and Garhwal (1815-1947) -199

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            History of Uttarakhand (Garhwal, Kumaon and Haridwar) -1032

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                              By: Bhishma Kukreti (History Student)

      In Khas society marriage was compromise only. In Khas society, marriage was not related to past life or future or any religious purpose. Brahmins and Rajput had religious faith on marriage especially devotion of wife/wives to the husband. Most of male had more than one wives. People used to buy ex-wife from ex-husband or married widows too. Having more than one wife was common on all classes.

   In Khas society, there was system of wife leaving husband or husband leaving wife and marrying other person in Khas society only. It was necessary for new husband to pay dues to old husband and get Dava (talakptra). Dhantiyan means keeps. Stronger persons used to kidnap other’s Dhanti in fare etc. In Harijan class, there was no restriction wife having relation with other man if there was benefit. Many times, Harijans used to marry their daughters with Muslims and used to get money. Harijan females were also engaged in prostitute profession especially near Shrinagar.  

 In Shrinagar there were many prostitute houses. After Shrinagar lost capital position, prostitutes also fled away. In 1821, there were only 39 prostitute houses in Shrinagar. There were devdasis or temple prostitutes in Shrinagar, Joshimath, Devalgarh, Ranihat, Gopeshwar and other temple places. Khas Rajput used to offer a daughter (mostly eldest) to temple as Devdasi. There were prostitutes in Devprayag, Kotdwara and Dadamandi .

 Badan were also indulged in prostitution. Rama Kanduri was killed while he was with prostitute.

  Prostitution was not social taboos. Hill women were sold to plains for prostitution too.

  

   

     

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 21/9/201710History of Garhwal – Kumaon-Haridwar (Uttarakhand, India) to be continued… Part -1033

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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