Administrative System of the Marathas c20.s7: 11. Forcible Marriage
Administrative System of the Marathas c20.s7
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11. Forcible Marriage
c20.s7.1
These regulations are based on the strict injunctions of the Shastras, but the Peshwas did not hesitate to take advantage of technical flaws to declare a forcible marriage null and void. A marriage was nullified in 1778-79, although *Kanyadan* and other ceremonies were over, and the *Hom* alone remained to be performed.²⁸ Such a marriage is still legally incomplete, but a Hindu will regard such an excuse as flimsy on a Hindu monarch's part. But what seems particularly strange is that they should sometimes go out of their way to order the wedding of marriageable girls without being approached by their parents.²⁹ In fact his double function made the Peshwa's position unique in the world. The Pope could excommunicate a man, but he could not force the execution of his order by a threat of confiscation of property outside his own kingdom. The King can condemn a man to penal servitude, but he cannot further embitter his position by excommunication. The Peshwas could do both yet the combination of these double authority did more good to the Hindu society than harm. In fact it is a matter of wonder that the spirit of reform gradually but surely growing under the auspices of the native rulers, should have been checked and retarded in the Bombay Presidency for more than a generation after its contact with the West.
c20.s7.2
²⁸ P. D., Vol, VI, pp. 260-261.
c20.s7.3
²⁹ P. D., Vol. V. p. 259
c20.s7.4
A peculiar method of demanding justice may here be noticed, because it had its origin in the religious aspect of murder as a sin. Aggrieved parties sometimes drew the attention of the authorities to their grievances by committing suicide.³⁰ The aggressor, or the party giving cause of offence, was held responsible for such deeds, and not only justice was done but the aggressor was sometimes required to perform a penance.
c20.s7.5
³⁰ This was by no means peculiar to Maharashtra. Drury noticed the custom in Travancore also. See Drury, Life and Sport in Southern India.