Giving durable goods, rupees, or money and property to the groom and his parents as a condition of marriage by the bride’s parents or family is the dowry system in India. The dowry is given according to the position of the groom and the prestige of his parents in the society. Entirely it is a groom’s deal. Because he brings the bride by selling himself for money. Then he proudly sings his own value in society. Instead of feeling ashamed, they (Groom, his parents and relatives) feel proud. This is the root of all problems and it is from here that social evils take birth.
History of dowry
The history of dowry in India is obscure. Some believe that dowry was prevalent in ancient times in India. And some do not agree with it. They believe its roots are from mediaeval times. Money, jewellery or other gifts were given by her parents or family to maintain the bride’s independence after marriage.
In reality, this practice was prevalent in the high caste hindus in ancient times. The Manu Samhita sanctioned dowry and bride-money in ancient India. At that time, dowry was a form of prestige and was associated with the Brahmin caste. It started as a “love gift” especially for marriages of upper caste people. However, during the mediaeval period, the demand of dowry became precursor for marriage.
This is the unchanging truth in many pages of history. And despite having pros and cons, everyone agrees that during the colonial period, the British made the practice of dowry compulsory. It was only after the dowry system became the only legal option to get married that its roots spread across India. In present-day India, with its growing economy, this trend is now encouraging higher bride prices among all socio-economic levels. But rising bride prices have brought with them an increase in violence against women.
Impact of dowry system
The root of the tree of social evils in dowry. One to many, many to more social evils have taken birth. Like a tree, these roots will grow stronger over time. In present times, people of different religions are not untouched by this. They argue, has been an important part of our religion since time immemorial.
Gender discrimination
Due to the dowry system, even today women are seen as a liability or a burden in many places. It has been observed that they are treated with second-rate status in matters of equality, education or other facilities. With their rights sidelined, they are often subjected to subjugation.
Abortion
Sex-selective abortion has been a concern in India. This is known as female foeticide and is illegal in India. Dowry is the main reason for people to do such an unfair act. Due to cultural preferences for the boy child and dowry practices, some families choose to selectively abort female foetuses.
Crime against women
In some cases, the dowry system leads to crime against women, ranging from emotional abuse and injury to even deaths.
Frequently asked questions
Giving expensive gifts to the groom’s family by the bride’s parents at the wedding is the dowry system.
The main reason for dowry is to ensure the safety of the daughter from the possibility of actual abuse from her husband and his family.
The birth of dowry took place in Babylon (present-day Iraq). The earliest records of history, such as the Code of Hammurabi of ancient Babylon, clearly described dowry as a pre-existing practice. There is no archaeological evidence of the dowry system in the Indian subcontinent.
The Parliament of India enacted the Dowry Prohibition Act on 20 May 1961. The Dowry Prohibition Act of 1961, aimed at banning the giving or taking of dowry, was enforced on 1st July 1961.