The Position of Women in Hindu Civilisation, from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day c14.s2.40

c14.s2.40

Let us resume our subject. The new school maintained that the widow’s right of inheritance was an inherent one. The only circumstance that could defeat it was unchastity. When we note the ideas current on the subject at that time, this condition would not appear to be an unexpected one. The modern law on this point is very peculiar. It allows an inheritance to devolve upon a widow, only if she is chaste at the time of its opening. Her subsequent unchastity, however, does not devest the estate.