The Position of Women in Hindu Civilisation, from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day c7.s2.19

c7.s2.19

The custom of bride-price has thus been vehemently condemned by the leaders of society almost in every age. That this should have been necessary shows, however, that the evil was very deep-rooted. The prevalence of child marriages, since the beginning of the Christian era has further helped its growth. When brides were grown up and educated, they had naturally some voice, direct or indirect, in the settlement of their marriage, and so could not be sold to the highest bidder. When, however, they began to be married at the tender age of 10 or 11, it became easy for avaricious and uncultured guardians to settle the marriage more with a view to get the highest bride-price than with the aim of finding the most suitable bridegroom. The custom of bride-price has therefore become commoner in the lower sections of society during the last fifteen hundred years as a result of the lowering of the marriage age.