Marriage is a social institution in which a male and female establish the permanent relationship as husband and wife that is approved by social ceremony. It is a contract in western society and sacred bond among Hindu society, between bridegroom and bride that provides legitimacy for sex, sexuality and reproduction. It is a durable association of male and a female that forms nuclear structure of a society.
Types of Marriage
| Classification | Sub-classification |
| 1) Social Norms based | i) Endogamy ii) Exogamy iii) Hyper gamy iv) Hypo gamy v) Cousin vi) Cross- Cousin vii) Sororate viii) Levirate |
| 2) Number based | i) Group ii) Polygamy iii) Polyandry iv) Monogamy |
| 3) Hindu Religion based | i) Brahma ii) Daiba iii) Prajapatya iv) Arsha v) Gandhara vi) Rakshyash vii) Paisach |
| 4) Modern/ Western based | i) Homosexual ii) Paper iii) Experimental iv) Love |
1) Social Norms Based
1.1) Endogamy
Endogamy is the rule of marriage in which life partners are to be selected within the group mediated through same caste, similar class, same religion, racial similarity like Aryan with Aryan, Mongolian with Mongolian, Raute with Raute and so forth.
1.2) Exogamy
It is the rule of marriage in which an individual has to marry outside of his own very close kinship group. In practice, clan exogamy is strictly practiced by Hindu. A man not only seeks for a wife outside of his own clan (gotra) but also must avoid the clans of all grandparents of 7th generation.
1.3) Hyper gamy (Anuloma)
It is the act or practice of person marrying another of higher caste or social status than them. In hyper gamy, the woman is typically of lower social status.
1.4) Hypo gamy (Patiloma)
It is also the practice of seeking a spouse of lower socio-economic status, or caste than oneself. But, in hypo gamy, the man is typically of lower social status.
1.5) Sororate
It is that type of marriage in which a husband engages in marriage or sexual relation with the sister of his wife after the death of his wife or if his wife is proven infertile.
1.6) Levirate
It is that type of marriage in which the brother of deceased man is obliged to marry his brother’s widow and the widow is obliged to marry her deceased husband’s brother.
1.7) Cross-Cousin
Cross-Cousin are the children of sibling of opposite sex, i.e. a person’s cross-cousin are father’s sister’s children and mother’s brother’s children. The Chippewa Indians used to practice such marriage.
2) Number Based
2.1) Group Marriage
It was the first stage of human evolution in which group marriage was practiced. Group marriage is that type of marriage where two or more women can get married with two or more men. The society was regulated by hunting and gathering. People used to stay in caves and society was characterized by promiscuity in character, there was no sexual barrier. Children could of common children of group.
2.2) Polyandry
It is a form of marriage wherein one woman marriages with more than one men at a given time. It was practiced by Marquesans of Polynesia, Yaruro of Venezuela and Tibetan Bhotia in Tibet. It is of two forms:
- Fraternal Polygamy
It is a form of polyandry wherein one wife is regarded as the wife of all brothers of same household. Example: Marriage of Pandava with Draupadi in Mahabharata.
- Non- Fraternal Polygamy
It is the form of marriage in which one woman has many husbands with whom she cohabits in turn. It is not necessary that these brothers should be brothers of same household. It was practiced by Malay tribe in Peninsula.
2.3) Polygamy
It is the form of marriage in which one man marriages more than one women at a given period of time. It is also of two forms:
- Sororal Polygamy:
It is the type of marriage in which the wives are invariably the sisters of the same household.
- Non-Sororal Ploygamy:
Under the processes, a man gets married with a number of wives but not of the same household.
2.4) Monogamy
It is the form of marriage in which one man marriages one woman at a time.
3) Hindu-Religion Based
3.1) Brahma marriage
The marriage of one’s daughter after decking her with costly garments and with presents of jewels, to a man of good conduct learned in Vedas, and invited by oneself.
3.2) Daiva marriage
This type of marriage that is considered inferior because it is degrading to womanhood is Daiva marriage. The family of woman waits for specific time to get their daughter wed if she doesn’t get suitable groom, then she is married off to places where family choose by matchmaking with priest.
3.3) Arsha marriage
An arsha marriage is where a girl is married to sage. The bride will be given in exchange of two cows.
3.4) Prajapatya marriage
Unlike Brahma marriage, Prajapatya matrimony is where the bride’s father goes in search of groom. Also, unlike arsha marriage monetary transaction is not its part.
3.5) Gandhara marriage
The voluntary union of maiden and her lover on own is called gandhara marriage. When it comes to ‘love’ marriage, it is Gandhara marriage.
3.6) Asura marriage
When the bridegroom receives a maiden, after having given of his own free will as wealth as he can afford, to bride and her kinsmen, is Asura marriage.
3.8) Rakshasa marriage
It is the marriage of maiden involving her forcible abduction from her home after her kinsmen have been slain and wounded.
3.9) Paishacha marriage
When a man stealth seduces a girl who is sleeping, intoxicated, or mentally challenged, such type of marriage is called Paishacha marriage. This is condemned in the Manusmriti as a base and sinful act.
4) Modern/ Western Based
4.1) Homosexual
It is also known as gay marriage. It is the marriage between people of same sex, either as a secular civil ceremony or in a religious setting.
4.2) Paper
A paper marriage is one where an individual of one country, marries someone from another country so that one can get VISA benefits, financial gain. It is the marriage without hullabaloo ceremony. It’s done in civil court by signing the papers.
4.3) Experimental
It is the experiment done before choosing the spouse. During the period of experiment they would become acquainted with each other and come to know each other’s personality, likes and dislikes and so forth. If they find compatible personality, they, may enter into permanent knot otherwise with mutual consent, it is dissolved.
4.4) Love
It is common form of marriage nowadays. Man and woman know each other and in mutual consent agree to tie in a permanent knot.
Social Significance of Marriage
- Sexual approval
- Expansion of kinship
- Socialization of offspring
- Legalization of birth
- Psychological confidence
- Foundation of economy
- Social integration
- Division of labor
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