The Position of Women in Hindu Civilisation, from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day c13.33

c13.33

In its origin, Strīdhana was vitally connected with the custom of the bride-price (*śulka*). We have already shown (*ante*, pp. 46–9) that this custom is of hoary antiquity, and that it continued to persist for a long time in spite of its vehement denunciation. The custom was no doubt a bad one, but it had one relieving feature. It helped the development of Strīdhana. Owing to the affection, which parents naturally felt for their daughters, they used to return usually a part, and sometimes even the whole, of the bride-price to the bride, to be enjoyed by her as her separate estate during her own life. If she died leaving some children behind, her father would not object to the property devolving upon them, as they were also his own grand-children. If, however, the daughter left no issue behind, her father would claim the property back from the son-in-law, who was expected to contract a fresh marriage in due course. Smṛiti writers expressly declare that the Strīdhana of a woman, married according to the Āsura form of marriage, where bride-price has to be paid by the husband, would revert to her parents or brothers, if she left behind no issues¹. This rule makes it quite clear that one of the ingredients of Strīdhana was a portion of the bride-price, returned to the bride by her father. The husband therefore had to recognise his bride's ownership in it. The bride used to spend this gift usually in the purchase of ornaments for herself and utensils and furniture for her new household².