The Position of Women in Hindu Civilisation, from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day c7.s7.10

c7.s7.10

These marriages, though commoner among the lower sections of society, were not unknown among Brahmanas and Kshatriyas; divorce therefore must have prevailed among higher classes also to some extent. According to Kauṭilya, if the husband or the wife hated each other, divorce was to be granted. If a man, apprehending danger from his wife, sued for divorce, he had to return to her whatever presents he may have received at the time of marriage. If it was the wife who was the complainant, she had to forfeit her proprietary rights in her husband’s family. No divorce, however, was permitted, if the marriage were performed by any of the four approved forms (III,3).