VARIOUS FORMS OF MATRIMONY IN HIMACHAL PRADESH

Circa 1890s-1920s

Abstract

The paper studies the whole spectrum of matrimonial alliances that existed during Himachal Pradesh between circa 1890s-1920s. It not only examines the existing forms such as Reet, Jhanjhara Karewa and Polyandry since all of these were present in the society of Himachal Pradesh but also views the transition in the marriage practices from bride price to dowry. The paper seeks to unravel the change, in the social status and mobility of women in the light of the above-mentioned forms of matrimony. The paper also analyses how with the coming into contact of the hill people with the colonialists and the reformers, inheritance rights, social status and social rituals were altered and affected in Himachal Pradesh.