The Position of Women in Hindu Civilisation, from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day c10.s2.29

c10.s2.29

Though this move to extend the meaning of the term widow failed, widow remarriages disappeared almost completely from society from about 1100 A. D. Even child widows could not be married. This prohibition, however, became operative only in the higher sections of Hindu society. As far as its lower strata were concerned,—and they form more than 80 per cent. of the community,—remarriages continued to be current among them. It was only in the last century that out of a desire to increase their respectability, some lower classes began to impose upon themselves the prohibition of widow marriage. The tendency has now disappeared.