Abolition of Polygamy in Hindu Law

Abstract

The article starts with discussing the position of women in Vedic Era and Ancient India in respect of her marital rights then progress to the discuss the status of polygamy through various periods and how it came to be declared as unlawful. The article then discuss the effect which the declaration of polygamy as an unlawful act had on the Hindu society and the position of a Hindu woman. It analyses the effectiveness of the law in eradicating polygamy from Hindu society. The article raises the issue that the prohibition of polygamy did not result in more equality for a Hindu woman in the patriarchal Hindu society and rather made her position more difficult due to the deep rooted social norms and realities which affect her decision making in respect to her actions after marrying for a second time. Volume 2 – Issue 2 Journal of Multi-Disciplinary Legal Research ISSN: 2582-9947