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{{Use Indian English|date=August 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2017}}
[[Polygamy]], including [[polygyny]], is outlawed in India. While it was not prohibited in [[Greater India|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 [[Indian religions|major religions of India]] portrayed polygamy in a neutral light.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.patheos.com/blogs/drishtikone/2008/08/polyandrous-family-customs-india/|title=Polyandrous family customs in India|website=Drishtikone|date=23 August 2008|access-date=2016-05-16}}</ref> According to some government data polygamy is decreasing day by day in India.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":4" />
[[Polygamy]], including [[polygyny]], is outlawed in India. While it was not prohibited in [[Greater India|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 [[Indian religions|major religions of India]] portrayed polygamy in a neutral light.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.patheos.com/blogs/drishtikone/2008/08/polyandrous-family-customs-india/|title=Polyandrous family customs in India|website=Drishtikone|date=23 August 2008|access-date=2016-05-16}}</ref>


[[File:Cecil Beaton Photographs- Political and Military Personalities IB698.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Gayatri Devi]], the third wife of [[Sawai Man Singh II]] of Jaipur, pictured by [[Cecil Beaton]] in 1940]]
[[File:Cecil Beaton Photographs- Political and Military Personalities IB698.jpg|thumb|200px|[[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.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://paa2010.princeton.edu/abstracts/100754 |title=Polygamous Marriages in India, Vaidehi Yelamanchili, Sulabha Parasuraman, Population Association of America, 2010 Annual Meeting |access-date=3 May 2016 |archive-date=14 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314211034/https://paa2010.princeton.edu/abstracts/100754 |url-status=dead }}</ref> 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<ref>[http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/the-birlas-representing-a-fascinating-saga-in-indian-enterprise/1/371750.html The Birlas: Empire in transition, T.N. Ninan, Chander Uday Singh, Sumanta Sen, India Today, 20 July 2013]</ref> and [[P. Rajagopal (businessman)|P. Rajagopal]]) had multiple wives.


⚫
The British colonial [[Presidencies and provinces of British India|Empire of India]] [[Sharia|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 (practice)|sati]],<ref>[http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2016/01/16/features/samadhi-of-ranjit-singh-a-sight-of-religious-harmony/ Samadhi of Ranjit Singh – a sight of religious harmony, Pakistan Today, JANUARY 16, 2016, NADEEM DAR]</ref> and their urn-like memorials exist at his [[Samadhi]].<ref>[http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/sunday-special/kaleidoscope/-sati-choice-before-maharaja-ranjit-s-ranis/99411.html ‘Sati’ choice before Maharaja Ranjit’s Ranis, Kanwarjit Singh Kang, 28 June 2015]</ref>
== History ==

=== Vedic period ===
In Rig Vedic time women in India enjoyed a very high status. The monogamy was mostly common these days but some wealthier sections also practiced polygamy.<ref name=":6">Rout, Naresh. "Role of Women in Ancient India: January - 2016 Odisha Review | Indian Religions".</ref>

=== Ancient period ===
In contrast to Europe, polygamy prevailed in ancient India among rich merchant, warriors and feudal lords. It was a common rule rather than an exception. Hindu text [[Mahabharata]] also mentioned about polyandry and polygamy.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Adebayo |first=Adesoji Kolawole |last2=Bankole |first2=Fisayo Andrew |date=2019 |title=An Appraisal of Polygamy in Contemporary Family Law Practice: Validity and Challenges |url=https://heinonline.org/HOL/Page?handle=hein.journals/anjllwa3&id=66&div=&collection= |journal=African Journal of Law and Human Rights |volume=3 |pages=59}}</ref><ref name=":3">Singh, Suraj Kumar. (2012). Polygamy in India - With Special Reference to the Bulkiest Constitution in the World. SSRN Electronic Journal. 10.2139/ssrn.2018822.</ref><ref name=":6" />

=== Colonial ===
Marrying multiple wives was common for rulers even in colonial era also. For example [[Bhupinder Singh of Patiala]] and [[Fateh Singh of Udaipur and Mewar]] practiced polygamy. Similarly some wealthy individuals for example [[Ramkrishna Dalmia]], Gajanan Birla and [[P. Rajagopal (businessman)|P. Rajagopal]] had multiple wives.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Birlas: Representing a fascinating saga in Indian enterprise |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/special-report/story/19830715-the-birlas-representing-a-fascinating-saga-in-indian-enterprise-770813-2013-07-20 |access-date=2023-07-08 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>

⚫
The British colonial [[Presidencies and provinces of British India|Empire of India]] [[Sharia|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,<ref>[http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2016/01/16/features/samadhi-of-ranjit-singh-a-sight-of-religious-harmony/ Samadhi of Ranjit Singh – a sight of religious harmony, Pakistan Today, JANUARY 16, 2016, NADEEM DAR]</ref> and their urn-like memorials exist at his [[Samadhi]].<ref>[http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/sunday-special/kaleidoscope/-sati-choice-before-maharaja-ranjit-s-ranis/99411.html ‘Sati’ choice before Maharaja Ranjit’s Ranis, Kanwarjit Singh Kang, 28 June 2015]</ref>


==Legal developments==
==Legal developments==
[[File:Polygyny (bold, color).svg|thumb|Polygyny]]
[[File:Polygyny (bold, color).svg|thumb|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.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Agnes |first=Flavia |date=1995 |title=Hindu Men, Monogamy and Uniform Civil Code |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/4403569 |journal=Economic and Political Weekly |volume=30 |issue=50 |pages=3238–3244 |issn=0012-9976}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-11 |title=The law on polygamy among religious groups in India |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-law/the-law-on-polygamy-among-religious-groups-in-india-8602908/ |access-date=2023-07-08 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>
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.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=XFtcAgAAQBAJ&q=india+polygamy+law&pg=PA189 Modern Indian Family Law, Werner Menski, Routledge, 2013 p.194]</ref> 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==
==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]].
=== In religious text ===
There is no religious injunction directing Muslims to marry more than one wife. As described in [[Quran]], extract demonstrates compassion for neglected female orphans, allowing Muslims to contract multiple marriages if they are willing to deal with them justly. This includes second, third, and fourth marriages, provided they can handle them justly.<ref name=":3" />

=== Muslim personal law ===

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]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-11 |title=The law on polygamy among religious groups in India |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-law/the-law-on-polygamy-among-religious-groups-in-india-8602908/ |access-date=2023-07-08 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> This personal law permited them to have upto four wives at the same time and makes them the only community in India to practice polygamy.<ref name=":4" />


However, in a judgment in February 2015, the [[Supreme Court of India|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".<ref name="timesofindia.indiatimes.com">{{Cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Polygamy-not-integral-part-of-Islam-SC/articleshow/46180105.cms|title = Polygamy not integral part of Islam: SC &#124; India News - Times of India|website = [[The Times of India]]}}</ref>
However, in a judgment in February 2015, the [[Supreme Court of India|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".<ref name="timesofindia.indiatimes.com">{{Cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Polygamy-not-integral-part-of-Islam-SC/articleshow/46180105.cms|title = Polygamy not integral part of Islam: SC &#124; India News - Times of India|website = [[The Times of India]]}}</ref>


==Polygamy in modern India==
==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.
Although In modern India a polygamous marriage is null and void by the law (except Muslims), it sometimes accepted in some rural areas mostly among [[Tribals in India|tribals]], often with approval by earlier wives.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Menski |first=Werner |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=XFtcAgAAQBAJ&vq=india+polygamy+law&source=gbs_navlinks_s |title=Modern Indian Family Law |date=2013-12-16 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-136-83992-4 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite news |date=2022-07-28 |title=Multiple wives most common among tribals: NFHS data |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/multiple-wives-most-common-among-tribals-nfhs-data/articleshow/93174538.cms |access-date=2023-07-07 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kapur |first=Mallika |date=2015-07-16 |title=Some Indian men are marrying multiple wives to help beat drought |url=https://www.cnn.com/2015/07/16/asia/india-water-wives/index.html |access-date=2023-07-07 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref>


Polygamy among Hindus is sometimes accepted in some rural areas,<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/16/asia/india-water-wives/ Some Indian men are marrying multiple wives to help beat drought, Mallika Kapur, CNN, 16 July 2015]</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://paa2010.princeton.edu/papers/100754 |title=Polygamous Marriages in India |access-date=3 May 2016 |archive-date=10 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510160810/https://paa2010.princeton.edu/papers/100754 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
The 2005-06 [[National Family Health Survey]] (NFHS-3) found that 1.9 percent of women reported that their husband had other wife or wives besides herself. Further surveyed by NFHS-5 during 2019-2021 it decreased to only 1.4%. Polygamy declines with income improvement, with 2.4% of poor households experiencing it, compared to 0.5% of rich households.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-07-28 |title=Multiple wives most common among tribals: NFHS data |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/multiple-wives-most-common-among-tribals-nfhs-data/articleshow/93174538.cms |access-date=2023-07-07 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |year=2023 |title=It’s not just Muslims who have multiple wives in India. But practice has declined across faiths |url=https://theprint.in/india/its-not-just-muslims-who-have-multiple-wives-in-india-but-practice-has-declined-across-faiths/1578799/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CAlthough%20polygynous%20marriage%20is%20not,and%20further%20declined%20over%20time%E2%80%9D. |website=ThePrint.in}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|+Percentage distribution of polygamy practice by religion
!Religion
!2005-06
!2019-21
|-
|Hindu
|1.8%
|1.3%
|-
|Muslim
|2.6%
|1.9%
|-
|Sikh
|0.3%
|0.5%
|}


==In popular culture==
==In popular culture==
''[[Chand (film)|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.
''[[Chand (film)|Chand]]'' is a social drama film dealing with the story of a childless couple with [[Balraj Sahni]] and [[Meena Kumari]] in lead roles. Mr. Kapoor (Balraj Sahni) who is married to Kamla ([[Pandari Bai]]) cannot have a child of their own. Kamla wants a child but under duress agrees to have Mr. Kapoor take a second wife and have a child. Sahni marries Vimla (Meena Kumari) with a heavy up front payment to her father. The marriage just collapses shortly after when Meena Kumari finds herself with another wife competing for the same husband. She gives birth to a child but leaves her husbands house to live with her father as it was evident that she was losing her senses in the situation she was thrown in. As she recovers her senses at her father's place she wants her child back but both Kamla and Mr. Kapoor declines to give the child back. The issue goes to court but the court decides against Vimla and she goes mad. Watch the rest of it to see how matters end happily and both Vimla and Kamla decides to live peacefully with the same husband. Even though the movie was released in the year 1959, the film was based in the year 1955, before the abolishing of polygamy.


==Mizoram==
==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.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last=Vanlalchhuanga|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.467455/page/n1/mode/2up?q=khuangtuaha|title=An Zirtirnate|publisher=Gosen Press|year=1984|location=Aizawl (India)|pages=51–54|language=Mizo|trans-title=Their Teachings}}</ref><ref name=":25">{{Cite web|last=Baruah|first=Sriparna B.|date=2011|title=Baktwang – The Carpentry Hamlet of Mizoram|url=http://www.sriparna.in/baktwang-the-carpentry-hamlet-of-mizoram/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-07-11|language=en-US}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mathews|first=Jane|date=2011-10-21|title=One big happy family (all 181 of them)|url=https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/278718/One-big-happy-family-all-181-of-them|access-date=2021-07-28|website=Express.co.uk|language=en}}</ref> Khuangtuaha followed suit and married three wives.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Dokhuma|first=James|url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.467548|title=Zoram Tualto Kohhran Chanchin|year=1997|edition=2|location=Aizawl (India)|pages=65|language=Mizo|trans-title=Indigenous Denominations in Mizoram}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":022">{{Cite web|last=Nath|first=Hemanta Kumar|date=13 June 2021|title=Mizoram's Ziona Chana, head of world's largest family, passes away at 76|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/mizoram-ziona-chana-head-of-world-largest-family-dies-at-76-1814359-2021-06-13|access-date=14 June 2021|language=en|newspaper=India Today}}</ref><ref name=":16">{{Cite news|date=2021-06-14|title=Ziona Chana: Head of 'world's largest family' dies in India's Mizoram state|language=en-GB|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-57465379|access-date=2021-06-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last1=Gupta|first1=Swati|last2=Rahim|first2=Zamira|date=2021-06-14|title=The head of the 'world's biggest family' has died at age 76|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/14/asia/india-record-family-man-dies-scli-intl/index.html|access-date=2021-06-16|publisher=CNN}}</ref> But polygamy is not practiced freely; men are allowed to marry wives only if they can support them by livelihood,<ref name=":182">{{Cite web|date=2011-11-09|title=Man with 160-member family in Mizoram|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/203573/man-160-member-family-mizoram.html|access-date=2021-06-17|website=Deccan Herald|language=en}}</ref> and this is decided by the priests.<ref name=":0" /> Only the leaders and their elite lineages are usually able to afford the conditions; thus, it is not widely practiced.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=Udas|first=Sumnima|date=2011-10-31|title=Is 160 enough? One Indian man's family|url=https://www.cnn.com/2011/10/31/world/asia/india-record-family/index.html|access-date=2021-06-14|website=CNN}}</ref>
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.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last=Vanlalchhuanga|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.467455/page/n1/mode/2up?q=khuangtuaha|title=An Zirtirnate|publisher=Gosen Press|year=1984|location=Aizawl (India)|pages=51–54|language=Mizo|trans-title=Their Teachings}}</ref><ref name=":25">{{Cite web|last=Baruah|first=Sriparna B.|date=2011|title=Baktwang – The Carpentry Hamlet of Mizoram|url=http://www.sriparna.in/baktwang-the-carpentry-hamlet-of-mizoram/|access-date=2021-07-11|language=en-US}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mathews|first=Jane|date=2011-10-21|title=One big happy family (all 181 of them)|url=https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/278718/One-big-happy-family-all-181-of-them|access-date=2021-07-28|website=Express.co.uk|language=en}}</ref> Khuangtuaha followed suit and married three wives.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Dokhuma|first=James|url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.467548|title=Zoram Tualto Kohhran Chanchin|year=1997|edition=2|location=Aizawl (India)|pages=65|language=Mizo|trans-title=Indigenous Denominations in Mizoram}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":022">{{Cite web|last=Nath|first=Hemanta Kumar|date=13 June 2021|title=Mizoram's Ziona Chana, head of world's largest family, passes away at 76|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/mizoram-ziona-chana-head-of-world-largest-family-dies-at-76-1814359-2021-06-13|access-date=14 June 2021|language=en|newspaper=India Today}}</ref><ref name=":16">{{Cite news|date=2021-06-14|title=Ziona Chana: Head of 'world's largest family' dies in India's Mizoram state|language=en-GB|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-57465379|access-date=2021-06-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last1=Gupta|first1=Swati|last2=Rahim|first2=Zamira|date=2021-06-14|title=The head of the 'world's biggest family' has died at age 76|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/14/asia/india-record-family-man-dies-scli-intl/index.html|access-date=2021-06-16|publisher=CNN}}</ref> But polygamy is not practiced freely; men are allowed to marry wives only if they can support them by livelihood,<ref name=":182">{{Cite web|date=2011-11-09|title=Man with 160-member family in Mizoram|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/203573/man-160-member-family-mizoram.html|access-date=2021-06-17|website=Deccan Herald|language=en}}</ref> and this is decided by the priests.<ref name=":0" /> Only the leaders and their elite lineages are usually able to afford the conditions; thus, it is not widely practiced.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=Udas|first=Sumnima|date=2011-10-31|title=Is 160 enough? One Indian man's family|url=https://www.cnn.com/2011/10/31/world/asia/india-record-family/index.html|access-date=2021-06-14|website=CNN}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==

Latest revision as of 18:16, 3 May 2024

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]

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]

[edit]
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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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]

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

References

[edit]
  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. ^ a b 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.
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