NAME = SAMPOORNA

GHOSHAL CLASS = XI –
HUMANITIES SOCIOLOGY
PROJECT
DIFFERENT MARRIAGE CUSTOMS IN INDIA
1
 AKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to express my gratitude to my Sociology teacher, Mrs
S.Gray, for giving me this topic and guiding me. Along with my
teacher I would also like to thank the Principal.Mrs.J.Surana for being
an inspiration for us. I am extremely grateful to my parents and
friends and who gave me valuable suggestion and guidance for the
completion of my project.

2
 Study 1:
DIFFERENT MARRIAGE
CUSTOMS IN INDIA

3
 INDEX
S1 no Topic Page no
1. Introduction 5.
2. Objectives 6.
3. Review of literature 7-8
4. Research 9-10
Methodology
5. Data collection and 11-17
analysis
6. Conclusion 18
7. Bibliography 19.

4
 INTRODUCTION
Marriage is a significant and sacred union between two individuals
that involves a deep emotional and psychological connection. It is a
legal and social institution that binds two people together in a formal
and recognized relationship. Marriage can be based on various factors
such as love, respect, trust, and understanding. It is a commitment to
stand by each other's side through thick and thin, to share both the
joys and challenges of life, and to support each other in every aspect
of life. It is a lifelong journey of building a strong partnership,
growing together, and strengthening the bond of love and
companionship.
India is a diverse country with a rich cultural heritage, and marriage
is an integral part of its society. India is home to a variety of
religions, each with its unique customs and traditions related to
marriage. The major religions in India are Hinduism, Islam,
Christianity, Sikhism, Jainism, and Buddhism. Each of these religions
has its own set of rules and rituals when it comes to marriage, which
reflects the values and beliefs of that particular religion. Despite the
differences, all religions in India recognize the importance of
marriage as a sacred bond between two individuals and their families.
This diversity in marriage customs and traditions adds to the richness
and vibrancy of India's cultural landscape.

Figure 1 : Marriage
 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
1. To understand the concept of marriage.
2. To examine the importance of marriage customs in society
3. To compare different marriage customs practice in India

.
 REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Grogol, M.J.(1997). in ‘love and Marriage’ stated the importance of
maintaining a strong and healthy marriage. He outlined seven
principles that can help to strengthen a marriage, including love,
respect, valuing each other, understanding, letting your partner
influence you, and creating an inner life together. Grohol suggests
that these principles are key to maintaining a healthy, happy, and
fulfilling marital relationship.
Lees,D. (2007). in ‘Inter-relation after Marriage’ stated that the
marital life also have an effect on people’s emotional or
psychological well being. Research has consistently found that
married couples have higher levels of emotional and psychological
well being than singles, the divorced and cohabiting couples. This
is important because the levels of depression and emotional well-
being are important features which influence family life. For this
reason, the role of marriage in promoting well being should not be
dismissed. In short the happiness is very much associated with better
health. So it is inter-related

Rigio, H.R and Weiser, D.A (2008). in ‘Attitude towards Marriage’

stated how parent’s marital interactions and the way they treat each
other can influence the attitudes of their children in their own
intimate relationships. They argue that if people perceive marriage
as not beneficial or positive, those attitudes regarding marriage will
affect their personal relationships. As a result people who express
these type of attitudes towards marriage will then not care about
getting married, or if they do not get married they do not exclude the
possibility of getting a divorce. The above related studies focused on

7
strengthening the relationship, commitment satisfaction, love,
respect, understanding, valuing each other, creating an inner life
Together and promotion of well being.

Levenson, R. Dr. and Gottman, J, Dr. (1976). in ‘Marriage and

Couples ‘stated some key points that are essential for a successful
marriage. According to their research, couples who have strong
marriages exhibit qualities such as trust, mutual respect, effective
communication, and the ability to manage conflicts in a healthy
manner. They also stress the importance of nurturing positive feelings
towards each other, creating shared meaning and values, and
maintaining a sense of humour and playfulness in the relationship.
Cherlin, A (2018) in Marriage, Divorce, Remarriage’ stated literature
review on marriage provides a comprehensive analysis of the current
state of research on marriage in the United States. Throughout his
review, Cherlin examines the historical and cultural context of
marriage, as well as the changing nature of marriage in contemporary
society. He notes that while marriage rates have declined in recent
years, the institution of marriage still holds significant cultural and
social value. He also highlights the ways in which social and
economic factors influence marriage, such as the gender wage gap
and the availability of stable employment. Overall, he ‘s review offers
valuable insights into the complexities of marriage in modern society.
 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
A research methodology refers to the set of techniques and procedures
used to gather and analyze information related to a specific research
topic. It involves the process of designing a study by choosing
appropriate research instruments to achieve the desired objectives.
METHOD USED
The researcher has used secondary sources like case studies to
conduct this study. It is a qualitative study . A case study is a process
of research into a development of a particular person group or a
situation over a period of time.
HYPOTHESIS
Hypothesis is a statement given by a researcher as a prediction about
what if their research will find. It is a tentative answer to the
research questions that has not yet been tested.
HYPOTHESIS OF STUDY REGARDING MARRIAGE
1. Marriage is a committed, monogamous relationship between a man
and a woman based on mutual love and assistance, recognized by
society and the state.
2. Marriage customs are an important aspect of Indian society as they
reflect cultural and religious beliefs, promote family bonds, gender
equality, and family lineage continuity. They bring families and
communities together, maintain social order and stability, and are
celebrated with joy.
3. Marriage customs in India vary by region, religion, and caste. They
involve arranged marriages, dowries, and elaborate ceremonies
lasting several days. These traditions have rich
symbolism and significance. By comparing customs, we can
understand India's diverse culture. Practices include exchanging
garlands or applying sindoor. Simplifying language, organizing info
logically, and using active voice and common vocabulary increases
clarity
. COMPARISON BETWEEN HINDU AND
MUSLIM MARRIAGES
CASE STUDY 1
HINDU MARRIAGE

Hindu marriage is a sacred and traditional union between two individuals,

typically performed in accordance with Hindu customs and rituals. In
Hinduism, marriage is considered to be a lifelong commitment, where the
couple is bound together not only in this life but also in their future lives. The
ceremony involves various rituals and customs, such as exchanging vows and
garlands, performing the sacred fire ritual, and
seeking blessings from the Gods and elders.
The purpose of Hindu marriage is not only
to bring the two individuals together but
also to unite two families and ensure their
mutual well-being.

The Hindu wedding ceremony is a sacred

and elaborate ritual that involves several
detailed and meaningful steps. Here are the main processes that take place
during a Hindu marriage:

1. Pre-Wedding Rituals: The pre-wedding rituals include the

engagement ceremony where the bride and groom exchange rings and
the families exchange gifts. This is followed by the
Mehndi ceremony, where the bride's
hands and feet are decorated with henna
designs. Then there's the Sangeet
ceremony, which is a musical evening
where both the families come together
and celebrate the upcoming wedding.
2. The word Baraat is derived from Sanskrit word Varayātrā literally
meaning groom procession. In Bengali, the baraat is usually referred
to as "Borjatri" when the groom along with his family members,
friends and closest relatives leave
for the bride's home which is the
venue of the marriage.
3. Wedding ceremony: The
wedding ceremony itself usually
takes place at a temple or other holy
site. The bride and groom exchange
flower
garlands, and the priest recites
mantras and performs rituals to
unite the couple in marriage.

4. Post-wedding ceremonies:
After the wedding, there may
be several post-wedding
ceremonies, including the
reception, the vidaai ceremony
(where the bride says goodbye
to her family and leaves with
her husband), and the griha
pravesh ceremony (where the bride is welcomed into her new
home).
MUSLIM
MARRIAGE
Muslim marriage introduction
refers to the traditional Islamic
way of solemnizing a marriage
contract between two consenting adults. In Muslim culture, marriage
is considered a sacred bond and is often entered into with the
intention of creating a lifelong partnership based on mutual love,
respect, and understanding. The process of Muslim marriage
involves several steps, including the proposal, acceptance, and the
signing of a marriage contract (Nikah) in the presence of witnesses.
The couple is then considered married and is expected to fulfill their
marital duties
and responsibilities as per Islamic
teachings.
The process of a Muslim marriage
typically involves several steps:

1. Proposal and acceptance: The groom

sends a formal proposal to the bride or
her family, asking for her hand in
marriage. If the bride accepts, they move on to the next step. In
Muslim marriage, the proposal is known as 'ijab', and the acceptance
of the proposal is called 'qubul'. The proposal must be made by one of
the parties or on their behalf, and the other party must accept it. For a
valid Muslim marriage, the proposal and acceptance should happen at
the same meeting.
 3. Mahr: The groom gives a gift of
money or property to the bride,
known as the mahr. This gift is a
sign of his commitment to
provide for her throughout their
marriage. In Islamic law, Maher refers to a gift or contribution
given by a groom-to-be to his bride-to-be. This gift is
exclusively her property and is given
as a sign of respect and recognition of
her independence. Unlike a
traditional gift, Maher is obligatory
and the bride-to-be has the right to
receive it.

4. Nikah: The nikah is the actual

wedding ceremony, which is
typically conducted by an Islamic
scholar or imam. The bride and
groom, along
with their respective witnesses, agree to the terms of the marriage
contract and sign it. The Nikah is a significant religious ceremony for
a Muslim couple, which legally binds them together under Islamic
law. During this ceremony, the couple officially says "I accept," and it
is considered a Prophetic tradition. It is important to note that the
Nikah is the only permissible way that a man and a woman can be
married according to Islamic law.
5. Khutba and dua: After the
nikah, the imam delivers a sermon,
or khutba, and offers a prayer, or
dua, for the newlyweds.
4. Walima: The walima is a reception held by the groom's family
to celebrate the
marriage. It is
typically held after
the nikah and can be
as simple or
elaborate as the
families choose. It's
a joyful celebration
where the couple's
loved ones gather to
bless them and share a meal together. It marks the beginning of
the couple's journey together as a married couple and is an
opportunity for the groom to express his gratitude for the
blessings of marriage and show his appreciation for the guests
who have come to celebrate with him.
 CASE STUDY 2

EXAMINE THE IMPORTANCE

OF MARRIAGE

CUSTOMS IN

INDIAN SOCIETY
Marriage is a deeply
meaningful and significant institution that has been a part of human
society for centuries, providing a legal and social framework for two
individuals to form a lifelong partnership. It is a commitment between
two people who love and respect each other, and who have chosen to
share their lives together. Marriage provides a sense of security,
stability, and emotional support to both partners, and it is a foundation
on which families are built. It is a
fundamental human right that can
bring about a sense of unity and
belonging, creating a sense of
community that extends beyond
the couple themselves. Marriage is
an essential part of many religious
and cultural traditions, and it is celebrated in a variety of ways around
the world. From traditional wedding ceremonies with elaborate rituals
and customs to small, intimate gatherings, marriage is a celebration of
love, commitment, and togetherness. It is a time for families and
friends to come together and celebrate the union of two people who
have chosen to share their lives together.
 CASE STUDY 3
TRIBAL INDIAN CUSTOMS
1. Probationary marriage: refers to a type of marriage where a young man from a
tribe lives with his girlfriend for a period of several weeks or months. If both
the man and the woman enjoy living together during this trial period, they may
decide to get married. However, if they find that they do not like each other or
are not compatible, they can separate without any obligation to continue the
relationship.

2. Marriage by capture: This is a popular type of marriage among several

Indian tribes . It can be both ceremonial and forceful or physical. The boy and
the girl like each other but due to restriction from the parent and the community
and inability to pay bride-price, the capture takes place.
3. Marriage by trial: is a practice specific to the Bhil tribe, where a young man's
bravery and courage are tested in a competition. If he succeeds, he is allowed
to choose a girl from the group for marriage. This type of marriage is peculiar
to the Bhil tribe.

4. Marriage by purchase: Here the boy pays bride price to the girl’s parents.
Bride price is not a medium to sell or buy the bride but to highlight the
importance of bride. This concept of Bride price is followed by most
Indian tribes like Ho, Santhal, Kharia, Gond etc.

5. Marriage by exchange ; Marriage by exchange is a custom in some

cultures where two families exchange brides for marriage. However, this
practice has been criticized for treating women like objects.
6. Marriage by Elopement : Elopement is a type of marriage that takes
place suddenly and secretly, often involving a hurried escape from one's
place of residence with one's partner, with the intention of getting married
without parental approval.
 CONCLUSION

Marriage is a commitment that involves not only the couple but also
their respective families and the state. It is regarded as a long-lasting
bond that is virtually irrevocable in some societies. The stability
provided by a life-long promise of remaining together makes marriage
the most suitable institution for rearing and socializing the next
generation of members. This is necessary to maintain the society's
norms, values, and goals and perpetuate the society itself.

The researcher explains Marriage is a commitment that involves not

only the couple but also their respective families and the state. It is
regarded as a long-lasting bond that is virtually irrevocable in some
societies. The stability provided by a life-long promise of remaining
together makes marriage the most suitable institution for rearing and
socializing the next generation of members. This is necessary to
maintain the society's norms, values, and goals and perpetuate the
society itself.
Limitations: While conducting the study the researcher had difficulty
in getting the right information as many sources has mistaken concept
of marriage as history of marriage.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Literature referred –
 Gosh, M.(2021).in ‘ISC Sociology’ published by
“kalyani publishers” pp.6.20-6.30.
 Cherlin, J.A.(1981). In’ Marriage, Divorce, Remarriage’
published by “Harvard University”

Articles-
 Less, D (2007). in ‘Marriage customs In Society ‘published
by Academia.edu.
 Rigio, H.R. and Weiser, D.A. (2008). in ‘Attitude towards
Marriage’ published by Research Gate.

Websites referred-
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3gN3zebdZ8
 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/229473367

 https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2018/03/i