Is Dowry a Bharatiye tradition?
No.
No.
Also, the word “dahej” didn’t originate in India, it is actually derived from the Islamic word “jahez”
Not just in the past but the British Royals still follow the custom.
For that we need to understand the difference between Stree Dhan and Dowry.
Stree dhan is bridal possession, and belongs to the bride only, whereas Dowry that was imposed by British is wealth that a woman brings to her husband
Stree dhan is bridal possession, and belongs to the bride only, whereas Dowry that was imposed by British is wealth that a woman brings to her husband
Manu even stated that after the woman dies, while her husband is alive, such possessions will go to her offsprings not her husband. So that’s the basic difference between dowry and Stree Dhan, now let’s come to the British imposition part.
British rule didn’t have the concept of individual property. The 1773 regulation introduced family as an individual unit which meant the British didn’t recognize independent human property, only family was deemed to have one.
Hence Stree Dhan became property of the husband.
Hence Stree Dhan became property of the husband.
In a Hindu kingdom that’s not how it would work. If your husband took your stree dhan, he could be punished.
E.g. in the Peshwa rule, a woman could actually document her property and this can be found in Peshwa daftar records. But no such document can be found in British rule.
E.g. in the Peshwa rule, a woman could actually document her property and this can be found in Peshwa daftar records. But no such document can be found in British rule.
A lot of people do it in the name of dharma. If this can be de-linked from dharma, won’t it discourage the practice? Change comes from either punishment or awareness. Laws are there to punish, we need to spread awareness.
The value of men did increase in the 19th century during the British rule because of property inheritance rules and new jobs and opportunities available solely to males. So dowry became the way to get the best husbands for daughters.
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To say there is no practical difference between dowry and Stri dhan is wrong. It’s voluntary gift exchange vs. extortion. This can be proved by stats:ruin of families due to unreasonable dowry payments was a norm in the 19th century, it wasn’t the case in precolonial India at all
Another scriptural reference to Stri Dhan explaining how it’s totally different from Dowry. This was the rule and when rules are violated, there are repercussions. But legalizing dowry as a system was a free ticket to encourage bad behavior.
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