Marital and Sexual Morality in Medieval Rajasthan

In this, it is shown how sexuality is defined by society and culture. An attempt has been made to see if there is any religious philosophy which marriage in medieval Rajasthan sought to convey. The existence of any moral or textual injunction that the State or religion upheld for married men and women has been explored. What was the relationship between law and social practice, the ideal and the aberrant? How were the marital disputes settled at the time, the legal and other devices available, the extent to which it was resorted to have all been looked into. The notions of sexuality, marital and extramarital sex, and notions of shame and honour have been examined. Besides the case of fidelity between husband and wife, cases of domestic violence, rape and incest and the reaction of the State in each case and the form of punishment meted out is laid out in this chapter.

Conclusion

Political changes impacted the marriage customs and practices. The caste structure and the emergence of Rajputs indicate deviations from the theoretical concept of caste and as the clan structure of the Rajputs remained significant throughout. For the ruling elite, marriage was a channel for diplomacy. The rituals of marriage were a mixture of local customs and the Sastras, a syncretic fusion of Brahmanism with several disparate vibrant cultural traditions. Sati was a complex phenomenon. The number of women committing Sati declined in the Mughal period, precisely the period of hardening of attitude towards women and widow remarriage. Widows of non-elite families were fully aware of their property rights and petitioned the state whenever their rights were violated. Infidelity was prevalent across all sections of society, and the state played an active role as a regulating body. For the state marriage was an edifice through which social order could be maintained.

Political and Social Structure of Medieval Rajasthan

A study of the emergence of the Rajputs has been done in order to outline the political and social structure of medieval Rajasthan. Apart from kinship ties, the inter-clan relationships have been studied as well as the process State formation which developed through distinct stages. Study of these developments aids in understanding the marriage network among the clans. Whereas during the early period of State formation, caste boundaries were quite blurred, by the 15th–16th centuries, caste distinctions acquired importance both for marriage purposes and systematisation of administration. It is apparent from the study of the caste structure of this region that it cannot be seen in terms of the fourfold varnas. For the Rajputs, it was the clan structure that was more significant and this governed the marriage rules.

Sati, Widowhood, and Remarriage

No work on marriage in Rajasthan would be complete without reference to the practice of Sati and widowhood as Rajasthan still has the dubious distinction of having cases of Sati or bride burning. It is attempted to understand the phenomena of Sati and Jauhar in their historical context as well as the taboo on widow remarriages as these are seen as institutional forms of women’s oppression. What did the term Sati denote; how the practice of Sati in Rajasthan was different from other regions; which castes practiced Sati; whether it was voluntary or obligatory; did it adhere to the ideals of Sati Savitri, that is, the virtuous woman; all these questions have been taken up. The actual political, economic, social, religious factors responsible for this rite have been examined. The extent to which widow remarriage was prevalent among various castes and the property rights exercised by the widows, a crucial aspects determining their position has also been looked into.

Socio-Political and Economic Aspects of Marriage

The motive behind marriage which changed from one historical period to another has been examined. This chapter largely pertains to the elite and ruling class for whom the motive behind marriage was mainly political. Throughout the period, we get examples of marriage being entered into for enlarging one’s territory, ending enmity, increasing power and status; familial relations were subordinated to political considerations. It led to the institutionalisation of the practice of polygamy. What motivated the rulers to give their daughters to Muslim kings despite their otherwise strict adherence to caste endogamy is sought to be answered. Finally, it is shown how political marriages came to play a significant role in the consolidation of Mughal rule.

Interpretation of Marriage Rituals in Medieval Rajasthan

This chapter has been divided into separate sections under different heads. It is observed how ceremonies and rituals of marriage helped in maintaining the caste identity of the families. The authority and superiority of a particular caste could be demonstrated through these ceremonies and rituals. Under the sub-heading of ‘Marriage, Customs and Practices in Medieval Rajasthan’ the significance of the engagement ceremony including notions of honour attached thereto, and the age of marriage which varied considerably depending on time period and caste has been appraised. The concept of Stridhan and dowry has been dealt with in the sub-section of dowry. An attempt has been made to understand the complexity of the marriage gift in its historical perspective. The changes that have occurred in the concept of dowry are also analysed. Hypergamy, polygamy and concubinage also form part of this chapter.