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POSITION OF WOMEN
161
MARRIAGE IN EXCHANGE
Marriages were arranged in exchartge for giving one's own sister in marriage. We read about the marriage of Devadatta, who married the sister of Dhanadatta and in exchange gave his sisterin marriage to him" The custom of marriage in exchange is still prevalent among the caturedis of Mathura and other parts of United Province The reason behind the custom seems to have bcen the dearth of girls in particular caste the members of which were not allowed to marry outside. It is known as sāntā or adalībadalā,57
POLYGYNY AND POLYANDRY As has been said above, begetting children was the chief goal of Hindu marriage The continuity of the line depends on the male issue ; hence the birth of sons was considered necessary A son was genuincly bclieved to be necessary for spiritual salvation. The Hindu law-givers allowed a man to marry more than oncc This was the underlying idea of polygamous system among the Hindus, though in later times it degenci - ated to such an extent that polygamy became a fashion with the rich Indians."
As a general rulc in ancient times pcople were monogamous, and polygyny was a fashion among the rich and ruling sections of the society The kings and princes considered it a privilege to have a crowded harem, which strengthened their political power by contracting numerous but judicious matrimonial alliances The rich people regarded plurality of wives as a proof of their wealth, reputation and social position Reserences to polygyny are numerous in the Jain texts In this counection the names of king Bharata, king Vikkamajasa,“ king Scniya and that of Gāhāyai Mahāsaya may be mentioned 61
Unlike polygyny, polyandry was a raie incident in life of polyandrous marriage, we come across a solitary cxample of Dovai, which, of course, is a remnant of Epic Agc 02 Polyandry is still practised among all classes and castcs in Jaunsar-Bawar (district Dehra Dun) 63
REMARRIAGE OF A WIDOWIER It may, however, happen that a woman may be forsaken, or allowed to go away by her husband or may go away of her own accord Under
50 Pinda. Nir 324 f According to the Buddhist tradition, king Bimbina and Pasenadı
of Kosala were connected by marriage, cach haung married a c1 of the other
(Dhammapada A I, p. 385) 57 See Consus India, 1931, Vol 1 Pt I, 252
See Valvalkar, Hindu Social Institutrons, p 193. 69 Uttară Ti,18, p 239.
Anta, 7, p 43 61
See Supra p 157 82 See also Alickar, op cit, pp 132-4. 08 Census, India, 1931, Vol. I, Pt. I, p. 262.
