Polygyny in India

Last updated

Polygamy, including polygyny, is outlawed in India. While it was not prohibited in Ancient India and was common among aristocrats and emperors, it is believed that it was not a major cultural practice. The lack of prohibition was in part due to the separation between land laws and religion (independence of the judiciary), and partially since all of the major religions of India portrayed polygamy in a neutral light. [1]

Contents

Gayatri Devi, the third wife of Sawai Man Singh II of Jaipur, pictured by Cecil Beaton in 1940 Cecil Beaton Photographs- Political and Military Personalities IB698.jpg
Gayatri Devi, the third wife of Sawai Man Singh II of Jaipur, pictured by Cecil Beaton in 1940

In contrast to Europe, polygamy prevailed in ancient India for rulers and kings. [2] It was common for rulers (for example Bhupinder Singh of Patiala and Fateh Singh of Udaipur and Mewar). Some wealthy individuals (for example Ramkrishna Dalmia, Gajanan Birla [3] and P. Rajagopal) had multiple wives.

The British colonial Empire of India permitted Islamic provinces to allow husbands to have multiple wives. When Maharaja Ranjit Singh was cremated in Lahore, four of his wives and seven concubines took to sati, [4] and their urn-like memorials exist at his Samadhi. [5]

Polygyny Polygyny (bold, color).svg
Polygyny

Section 494 and 495 of the Indian Penal Code of 1860, prohibited polygamy for the Christians. In 1955, the Hindu Marriage Act was drafted, which prohibited marriage of a Hindu whose spouse was still living. Thus polygamy became illegal in India in 1956, uniformly for all of its citizens except for Muslims, who are permitted to have four wives and for Hindus in Goa and along the western coast where bigamy is legal.

A polygamous Hindu marriage is null and void. [6] While the punishment specified in Sections 494 and 495 is applicable, it is rare if the first spouse does not have an objection.

Muslim polygamy

Muslims in the rest of the country are subject to the terms of The Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act of 1937, interpreted by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board.

However, in a judgment in February 2015, the Supreme court of India stated that "Polygamy was not an integral or fundamental part of the Muslim religion, and monogamy was a reform within the power of the State under Article 25". [7]

Hindu polygamy in modern India

Legally the second wife of a Hindu would be a mistress, although religiously and socially she may be considered a wife.

Polygamy among Hindus is sometimes accepted in some rural areas, [8] often with approval by earlier wives. The 2005–06 National Family Health Survey (NFHS-3) found that 2 percent of women reported that their husband had other wives besides herself. Husbands of women with no children are more likely to have multiple wives. [9]

Chand is a social drama film dealing with the story of a childless couple with Balraj Sahni and Meena Kumari in lead roles. The film was based in the year 1955, before the abolition of polygamy.

Mizoram

In Mizoram state, a Christian sect known as "Lalpa Kohhran Thar" (literal translation "The Lord's New Church"), sometimes known as "Khuangtuaha Pawl" or "Pu Chana Páwl" or "Ziona Pawl" (referring the leaders; pawl means sect or organisation) practices polygamy. [10] [11] Khuangtuaha (1891–1955) formed the sect in 1942, and was supported by his younger brother Chana (1910–1997). Chana introduced polygamous marriage and had seven wives. [12] Khuangtuaha followed suit and married three wives. [13] Chana's son, Ziona (1945–2021), was the most prolific polygamous man of the sect. At the time of his death in 2021, he had 38 wives, 89 children and 33 grandchildren. [14] [15] [16] But polygamy is not practiced freely; men are allowed to marry wives only if they can support them by livelihood, [17] and this is decided by the priests. [13] Only the leaders and their elite lineages are usually able to afford the conditions; thus, it is not widely practiced. [18]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Polygyny</span> Mating system in which the male partner may have multiple partners

Polygyny is a form of polygamy entailing the marriage of a man to several women. The term polygyny is from Neoclassical Greek πολυγυνία (polugunía); from Ancient Greek πολύ (polú) 'many', and γυνή (gunḗ) 'woman, wife'.

Polygamy is the practice of marrying multiple spouses. When a man is married to more than one wife at the same time, it is called polygyny. When a woman is married to more than one husband at the same time, it is called polyandry. In sociobiology and zoology, researchers use polygamy in a broad sense to mean any form of multiple mating.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mizoram</span> State in northeastern India

Mizoram is a landlocked state in northeast India, with Aizawl as its seat of government and largest city. Within India's northeast region, it is the southernmost state, sharing borders with three of the Seven Sister States, namely Tripura, Assam and Manipur, and also shares a 722-kilometre (449 mi) border with the neighbouring countries of Bangladesh and Myanmar. The state spans over an area of approximately 21,087 square kilometres, of which approximately 91% is forested. With an estimated population of 1.25 million in 2023, it is the second least populous state in the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ranjit Singh</span> First Maharaja of the Sikh Empire (1780–1839)

Ranjit Singh, popularly known as Sher-e-Punjab or "Lion of Punjab", was the first Maharaja of the Sikh Empire, which ruled the northwest Indian subcontinent in the early half of the 19th century. He survived smallpox in infancy but lost sight in his left eye. He fought his first battle alongside his father at age 10. After his father died around Ranjit's early teenage years, Ranjit subsequently fought several wars to expel the Afghans throughout his teenage years. At the age of 21, he was proclaimed the "Maharaja of Punjab". His empire grew in the Punjab region under his leadership through 1839.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Samadhi of Ranjit Singh</span> Building in Lahore, Pakistan

The Samadhi of Ranjit Singh is a 19th-century building in Lahore, Pakistan that houses the funerary urns of the Sikh Maharaja Ranjit Singh. It is located adjacent the Lahore Fort and Badshahi Mosque, as well as the Gurdwara Dera Sahib, which marks the spot where the fifth guru of Sikhism, Guru Arjan Dev, died. Its construction was started by his son and successor, Maharaja Kharak Singh, after the ruler's death in 1839, and completed nine years later. It overlooks the Hazuri Bagh, built by Ranjit Singh, to its south.

Pachhunga University College (PUC) is a public institute in Aizawl, Mizoram, and the only constituent college of Mizoram University, a central university established by an Act of Parliament of India. Founded in 1958 as Aijal College, it is the oldest and largest college in Mizoram, by enrolment and campus size. It started with intermediate of arts courses, and later expanded to bachelor's degrees in arts, commerce and science. With the opening of master's degree courses in Mizo, philosophy and life sciences, it became the first postgraduate college in Mizoram.

Polygamy is the practice of having more than one spouse at the same time. Specifically, polygyny is the practice of one man taking more than one wife while polyandry is the practice of one woman taking more than one husband. Polygamy is a common marriage pattern in some parts of the world. In North America, polygamy has not been a culturally normative or legally recognized institution since the continent's colonization by Europeans.

Mizoram Presbyterian ChurchSynod is the largest Christian denomination in Mizoram, northeast India. It was a direct progeny of the Calvinistic Methodist Church in Wales. It was the first church in Mizoram and is now one of the constituent bodies of a larger denomination Presbyterian Church of India (PCI), which has its headquarters in Shillong, Meghalaya. The administrative body called the Mizoram Synod has its headquarters at Mission Veng, Aizawl. As the first church, it remains the largest denomination in Mizoram.

The legal status of polygamy varies widely around the world. Polygyny is legal in 58 out of nearly 200 sovereign states, the vast majority of them being Muslim-majority countries. Some countries that permit polygamy have restrictions, such as requiring the first wife to give her consent.

Polygamy is not legally recognised in Australia. Legally recognised polygamous marriages may not be performed in Australia, and a person who marries another person, knowing that the previous marriage is still subsisting, commits an offence of bigamy under section 94 of the Marriage Act 1961, which carries a maximum penalty of 5 years imprisonment. However, the offence of bigamy only applies to attempts to contract a legally recognised marriage; it does not apply to polygamous marriages where there is no attempt to gain recognition for the marriage under Australian law. Whether or not either or both partners were aware of the previous subsisting marriage, the second marriage is void. Foreign polygamous marriages are not recognized in Australia. However, a foreign marriage that is not polygamous but could potentially become polygamous at a later date under the law of the country where the marriage took place is recognized in Australia while any subsequent polygamous marriage is not. While under Australian law a person can be in at most one legally valid marriage at a time, Australian law does recognise that a person can be in multiple de facto relationships concurrently, and as such entitled to the legal rights extended to members of de facto relationships.

Polygamy and civil polygamous marriages are legal in Bangladesh but restricted according to a law of 1961, though the practice is rapidly declining. According to a Pew Research Center study, less than 1% of Bangladeshi men are in polygamous marriage, much lower than the average rate found in other nations that permit polygamy. Certain cities have also placed hefty taxes on the practice of polygamy, with the tax increasing per each new wife the man takes. A Bangladeshi Muslim man can marry up to four wives at the same time but must have permission from existing wives. There is no known limit for the number of wives a Hindu man can take in Bangladesh.

Ziona was the leader of Lalpa Kohhran Thar, informally referred to as Chana Pâwl or Chhuanthar Kohhran, a polygamy-practising Christian sect in Mizoram, India. He was often referred to as a world record holder for being the head of the "world's largest existing family" or the "world's biggest family". In 2011, as officials of the Guinness World Records made verification, he refused the world record title as he shunned publicity. His family was nonetheless listed as the "Biggest Family" in the world in 2011 by the World Record Academy, and The Wall Street Journal in 2011, and then by the London World Records in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mizo Zirlai Pawl</span>

Mizo Zirlai Pawl is a Mizo multinational student organization and apex students body in Mizoram state. Established on 27 October 1935 in Shillong by Mizo earlier educated students. Originally as the Lushai Students Association (LSA), which was later replaced with the "Mizo Zirlai Pawl" on 1 September 1946. As Mizoram State government notified MZP raising day 27 October was observed as "Zirlaite Ni" from 2008 in Mizoram. It was registered as SR No. 35 of 1969–70 under Indian Societies Registration Act. Its general headquarters is in the state capital of Mizoram, Aizawl. And it has 12 headquarters inside and outside of Mizoram state, such as Churachandpur, Behliangchhip, and in Mizoram state - Serchhip, Biate, Champhai, Darlawn, Kolasib, Mamit, Zawlnuam, Saitual, Lunglei and Khawzawl. It has 50 Sub-Headquarters and many branches.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christianity in Mizoram</span>

Christianity is the largest religion in Mizoram. The majority 87% of Mizoram population are Christian in various denominations, predominantly Presbyterian. More than 98% of the Mizos are Christians by faith. The Government of Mizoram declared that Christianity plays a very important role among the daily life of Mizo community and therefore further declared that Christianity as the religion of the state. The culture of Mizoram is mainly influenced by Christianity. Hence, Christianity was given a special status on the state by the government while maintaining a minimum level of secular environment and approach. In June 2018, the government of Mizoram including Vanlalruata, president of anti-corruption organisation-turned-political party, People's Representation for Identity and Status of Mizoram claim that Mizoram is a Christian state. Hindus form a small minority (3.55%) mainly of Manipuris and there are also around (7.93%) Buddhists according to the 2001 census, mostly made up from Chakma settlers of Arakan origin. There are about 8,000 mostly ethnic Mizo followers of a Judaic group Bnei Menashe, who claim descent from the biblical Menasseh. Muslims make up about 1.1% of the state population.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Christianity in Mizoram</span> Christianity in Mizoram

The history of Christianity in Mizoram covers the origin and development of all forms of Christianity in Mizoram since the British occupation at the end of the 19th century. Christianity arrived as a consequence of tribal warfare, raids of British plantations, and the ensuing punitive British military expedition called the Lushai Expedition of 1871. The subsequent annexation of the erstwhile Lushai Hills to the British Empire opened the gateway for British Christian missions to evangelise the Mizo people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tourism in Northeast India</span> Overview of tourism in Northeast India

Northeast India consists of eight states: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura. Tourism in this area is based around the unique Himalayan landscape and culture distinct from the rest of India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tourism in Mizoram</span> State in Northeast India, India

Mizoram is a state in the northeast of India. Mizoram is considered by many as a beautiful place due to its landscape and pleasant climate. There have been many attempts to increase revenue through tourism but many potential tourists find the lack of amenities to be a hurdle. However, the State continues to promote itself and many projects have been initiated. The tourism ministry continues to maintain or upgrade its tourist lodges throughout the state. Foreign tourists are required to obtain an 'inner line permit' under the special permit before visiting. The permit can be obtained from Indian missions abroad for a limited number of days or direct from Mizoram Government authorities within India. The state is rich in bird diversity, which has the potentiality to make it a major birding destination. Mizoram is a stronghold for Mrs. Hume's pheasant. There is also a rare record of the wild water buffalo from the state. There are several past records of the Sumatran rhinoceros from Mizoram, then Lushai Hills. The small population of wild elephants can be seen in Ngengpui and Dampa Sanctuaries.

Pu is an Indian given name shared by several people, including:

Lalpa Kohhran Thar is a millennialist Christian sect and dissenters of the Presbyterian Church in Mizoram, India. Started by a World War I veteran Khuangtuaha in 1942, it flourishes in Serchhip district. Originally from Hmawngkawn village, the followers resettled at the fringe of Baktawng village, the locality now called Tlangnuam. Sometimes referred to as the Mormons of Mizoram, they are recognised for practising polygamy and at one time housing the single biggest family in the world. As of 2021, the adherents have spread to various parts of Mizoram pursuing different professions, and are estimated to number over 2,000 followers in 433 families.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl</span>

Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl or MHIP was formed in the union territory of Mizoram, India, on 6 July 1974. It aims to empower women and support women's rights. Following the 2009 decision of the Delhi High Court to legalize same-sex relationships, MHIP joined an anti-LGBT alliance with Mizoram Upa Pawl (MUP), the Young Mizo Association (YMA) and the Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP).

References

  1. "Polyandrous family customs in India". Drishtikone. 23 August 2008. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  2. "Polygamous Marriages in India, Vaidehi Yelamanchili, Sulabha Parasuraman, Population Association of America, 2010 Annual Meeting". Archived from the original on 14 March 2022. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
  3. The Birlas: Empire in transition, T.N. Ninan, Chander Uday Singh, Sumanta Sen, India Today, 20 July 2013
  4. Samadhi of Ranjit Singh – a sight of religious harmony, Pakistan Today, JANUARY 16, 2016, NADEEM DAR
  5. ‘Sati’ choice before Maharaja Ranjit’s Ranis, Kanwarjit Singh Kang, 28 June 2015
  6. Modern Indian Family Law, Werner Menski, Routledge, 2013 p.194
  7. "Polygamy not integral part of Islam: SC | India News - Times of India". The Times of India .
  8. Some Indian men are marrying multiple wives to help beat drought, Mallika Kapur, CNN, 16 July 2015
  9. "Polygamous Marriages in India". Archived from the original on 10 May 2022. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
  10. Vanlalchhuanga (1984). An Zirtirnate [Their Teachings] (in Mizo). Aizawl (India): Gosen Press. pp. 51–54.
  11. Baruah, Sriparna B. (2011). "Baktwang – The Carpentry Hamlet of Mizoram" . Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  12. Mathews, Jane (21 October 2011). "One big happy family (all 181 of them)". Express.co.uk. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  13. 1 2 Dokhuma, James (1997). Zoram Tualto Kohhran Chanchin [Indigenous Denominations in Mizoram] (in Mizo) (2 ed.). Aizawl (India). p. 65.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  14. Nath, Hemanta Kumar (13 June 2021). "Mizoram's Ziona Chana, head of world's largest family, passes away at 76". India Today. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
  15. "Ziona Chana: Head of 'world's largest family' dies in India's Mizoram state". BBC News. 14 June 2021. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
  16. Gupta, Swati; Rahim, Zamira (14 June 2021). "The head of the 'world's biggest family' has died at age 76". CNN. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  17. "Man with 160-member family in Mizoram". Deccan Herald. 9 November 2011. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  18. Udas, Sumnima (31 October 2011). "Is 160 enough? One Indian man's family". CNN. Retrieved 14 June 2021.