The Position of Women in Hindu Civilisation, from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day c5.7

c5.7

Traces of early promiscuity, 34-36; Vedic and Avestic view of marriage, 36-8; marriage becomes obligatory for girls, 38-41; history and evolution of the eight forms of marriage; why Paiśācha and Rākshasa forms were recognised; Āsura marriage and the custom of bride-price; differences between the four approved forms; 42-55; central idea in Brāhma marriage, 55-7; bride's age in marriage about 16 before 300 b. c., 58-62; about 14 upto 100 b. c., 63-6; 12 upto 500 a. d., 67-8; further lowering of the age after 1,000 a. d. and its causes, 70-1; age in the medieval times, 72-3; recent tendency to raise it and its causes: the Sarada Act, 73-5; early marriages in medieval Europe, 76-7; bride's part in settling the marriage in different ages, 76-8; description of courtship, 79-82; dowry system, 82-4; *gotra*, caste and horoscope in marriage at different periods, 87-92; significance of the marriage ritual, 93-7; conditions of divorce, 98-9, recorded cases of divorce, 100-1; why and when it was discontinued, 101-2; should it be now legalised? 103-5.