Different Forms of Marriage Practiced in Ancient India for JPSC (Jharkhand) Prelims and Mains Examination

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1. Brahma  Duly dowered girl to a man of the same class2. Daiva  Father gives daughter to a sacrificial priest as a part of his fee3. Arsa   A token bride price of a cow & a bull is given in place of the dowry4. Prajapatya  Father gives girl without dowry & without demanding the bride price5. Gandharva  Love Marriage6. Asura  In which bride was bought from her father7. Rakshasa  Marriage by capture, practiced especially by warriors.8. Paishacha  Marriage by seductionDaiva marriage was considered ideal while paisacha the worst.

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Marriage is a sacred institution in Hinduism-2/”>Hinduism, and there are many different forms of marriage that have been practiced in ancient India. The eight forms of marriage are:

  • Brahma Marriage: This is the most sacred form of marriage, in which the bride and groom are married by a priest. The bride is given away by her father, and the groom gives her a dowry.
  • Daiva Marriage: This is a form of marriage in which the bride and groom are married by a priest, and the bride’s father gives her away to the groom in exchange for a gift.
  • Arsha Marriage: This is a form of marriage in which the bride and groom are married by a priest, and the groom gives the bride’s father a cow as a gift.
  • Prajapatya Marriage: This is a form of marriage in which the bride and groom are married by a priest, and the groom gives the bride’s father a piece of gold as a gift.
  • Gandharva Marriage: This is a form of marriage in which the bride and groom are married by mutual Consent, without the involvement of a priest or the bride’s father.
  • Asura Marriage: This is a form of marriage in which the groom takes the bride away by force.
  • Rakshasa Marriage: This is a form of marriage in which the groom kills the bride’s father and then marries her.
  • Paisacha Marriage: This is a form of marriage in which the groom deceives the bride and then marries her.

Of these eight forms of marriage, Brahma Marriage is considered to be the most sacred and ideal form. The other forms of marriage are considered to be less sacred, and some of them, such as Asura Marriage and Rakshasa Marriage, are even considered to be sinful.

In ancient India, marriage was not just a union between two individuals, but also a union between two families. The bride’s father would often give a dowry to the groom, and the groom would often give a gift to the bride’s father. The purpose of the dowry was to compensate the bride’s family for the loss of their daughter, and the purpose of the gift was to show the groom’s appreciation for the bride’s family.

Marriage was also seen as a way to ensure the continuation of the family line. The bride and groom were expected to have children, and the children were expected to take care of their parents in their old age.

In modern India, marriage is still a sacred institution, but it is not as closely tied to family and religion as it was in ancient India. The dowry system has been abolished, and couples are now free to choose their own partners. However, the traditional forms of marriage are still practiced in some parts of India.

The eight forms of marriage are a reflection of the diversity of Indian culture. Each form of marriage has its own unique history and customs. The choice of which form of marriage to practice is a personal one, and there is no right or wrong answer.

Here are some frequently asked questions and short answers about Different Forms of Marriage Practiced in Ancient India:

  1. What are the different forms of marriage practiced in ancient India?

There were eight forms of marriage practiced in ancient India: Brahma, Daiva, Arsha, Prajapatya, Gandharva, Asura, Rakshasa, and Paisacha.

  1. What is Brahma marriage?

Brahma marriage is the most sacred form of marriage. It is a form of marriage in which the bride and groom are of equal social status and are married by a priest.

  1. What is Daiva marriage?

Daiva marriage is a form of marriage in which the bride and groom are of different social status. The bride is given to the groom as a gift by her father.

  1. What is Arsha marriage?

Arsha marriage is a form of marriage in which the bride and groom are of equal social status. The groom gives the bride’s father a cow and a bull as a gift.

  1. What is Prajapatya marriage?

Prajapatya marriage is a form of marriage in which the bride and groom are of equal social status. The bride and groom are married by a priest and the marriage is consummated on the same day.

  1. What is Gandharva marriage?

Gandharva marriage is a form of marriage in which the bride and groom are of equal social status. The bride and groom elope and are married by a priest later.

  1. What is Asura marriage?

Asura marriage is a form of marriage in which the bride and groom are of different social status. The groom takes the bride by force.

  1. What is Rakshasa marriage?

Rakshasa marriage is a form of marriage in which the bride and groom are of different social status. The groom kills the bride’s father and takes the bride by force.

  1. What is Paisacha marriage?

Paisacha marriage is a form of marriage in which the bride and groom are of different social status. The groom kidnaps the bride and marries her without her consent.

  1. Which form of marriage was considered the most sacred?

Brahma marriage was considered the most sacred form of marriage in ancient India.

  1. Which form of marriage was considered the most common?

Prajapatya marriage was considered the most common form of marriage in ancient India.

  1. Which form of marriage was considered the most controversial?

Gandharva marriage was considered the most controversial form of marriage in ancient India.

  1. Which form of marriage was considered the most illegal?

Rakshasa marriage was considered the most illegal form of marriage in ancient India.

  1. Which form of marriage was considered the most immoral?

Paisacha marriage was considered the most immoral form of marriage in ancient India.

  1. What were the reasons for the decline of the different forms of marriage in ancient India?

The different forms of marriage in ancient India declined due to a number of factors, including the rise of Hinduism, the spread of Islam, and the British colonization of India.

  1. What are the different forms of marriage practiced in India today?

The different forms of marriage practiced in India today include Hindu marriage, Muslim marriage, Christian marriage, and Parsi marriage.

  1. What are the legal requirements for marriage in India?

The legal requirements for marriage in India vary depending on the religion of the couple. For example, Hindu marriages must be registered with the government, while Muslim marriages do not require registration.

  1. What are the social and cultural expectations of marriage in India?

Marriage is considered to be a very important social and cultural institution in India. It is expected that all adults will marry and have children.

Question 1

Which of the following is not a form of marriage practiced in ancient India?

(A) Brahma marriage
(B) Daiva marriage
(C) Gandharva marriage
(D) Asura marriage
(E) Rakshasa marriage

Answer

(E) Rakshasa marriage is not a form of marriage practiced in ancient India. The other four Options are all forms of marriage practiced in ancient India.

Question 2

In which type of marriage, the bride and groom are married by a priest?

(A) Brahma marriage
(B) Daiva marriage
(C) Gandharva marriage
(D) Asura marriage
(E) Prajapatya marriage

Answer

(A) In Brahma marriage, the bride and groom are married by a priest. The other four options are all forms of marriage in which the bride and groom are married by themselves or by their families.

Question 3

In which type of marriage, the bride is abducted by the groom?

(A) Brahma marriage
(B) Daiva marriage
(C) Gandharva marriage
(D) Asura marriage
(E) Prajapatya marriage

Answer

(D) In Asura marriage, the bride is abducted by the groom. The other four options are all forms of marriage in which the bride and groom are married by a priest, by their families, or by themselves.

Question 4

In which type of marriage, the bride and groom are married by their families?

(A) Brahma marriage
(B) Daiva marriage
(C) Gandharva marriage
(D) Asura marriage
(E) Prajapatya marriage

Answer

(B) In Daiva marriage, the bride and groom are married by their families. The other four options are all forms of marriage in which the bride and groom are married by a priest, by themselves, or by the groom abducting the bride.

Question 5

In which type of marriage, the bride and groom are married by themselves?

(A) Brahma marriage
(B) Daiva marriage
(C) Gandharva marriage
(D) Asura marriage
(E) Prajapatya marriage

Answer

(C) In Gandharva marriage, the bride and groom are married by themselves. The other four options are all forms of marriage in which the bride and groom are married by a priest, by their families, or by the groom abducting the bride.

Question 6

Which of the following is not a reason for the decline of the practice of arranged marriages in India?

(A) The rise of individualism
(B) The increase in the number of Women in the workforce
(C) The increase in the number of people who meet their partners through online dating
(D) The increase in the number of people who live in nuclear families
(E) The increase in the number of people who are educated

Answer

(E) The increase in the number of people who are educated is not a reason for the decline of the practice of arranged marriages in India. The other four options are all reasons for the decline of the practice of arranged marriages in India.

Question 7

Which of the following is not a benefit of arranged marriages?

(A) They can help to ensure that the bride and groom are compatible.
(B) They can help to preserve traditional values.
(C) They can provide financial security for the bride and groom.
(D) They can help to reduce the risk of divorce.
(E) They can help to strengthen family ties.

Answer

(D) Arranged marriages do not reduce the risk of divorce. In fact, studies have shown that arranged marriages are just as likely to end in divorce as marriages that are not arranged. The other four options are all benefits of arranged marriages.