The Dowry is the groom’s price and is prevalent among the higher castes whereas bride-price exists mainly among the lower caste and tribes. How Dowry Came into Existence? In the lower castes, where female members contributes in manual labour, the coming of a bride into groom’s family meant an increase in the number of working members and become a source of income for the family whereas the bride’s
family suffers the loss of an earning member. Hence a bride-price is paid to the bride's parents to compensate for this loss. In contrast to above; among the higher castes, where no manual labour is done by female members, the coming of a bride into groom’s family meant putting extra burden on the groom's family. Thus a dowry was provided to compensate the additional burden resulted from the bride's entry into the groom's family. Is It Relevant in Today’s Circumstances? In today’s scenario bride’s are well educated and are equally compatible to grooms. They are no more burden on the groom’s family. Hence, the dowry is no more seems to be justifiable. Not only this, the dowry deaths of newly married brides and other issues are increasing day by day.
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Should Learned Rajputs Accept This Practice? Dowry is one of those social practices which no learned Indian would own up with pride, although many of us still adhere to this much unacceptable practice. Dowry continues to be in practice in our society. Even among the educated sections of society, dowry continues to form an essential part the negotiations that take place in an arranged marriage. During the marriage ceremony the articles comprising the dowry are proudly displayed in the wedding hall. Dowry is still very much a status symbol. A number of marriage proposals do not materialise if there is no consensus between the families of bride and groom.
