Arranged Marriages- India

Arranged Marriages in India

2005

Indian culture and traditions are very specific and very ancient . They are strictly different from our Western customs and way of life in almost every social or cultural aspect . Institution of marriage and family is extremely important for Indian people . Old tradition of arranged marriages is one of the most practicable in modern India , and for many Western observers it remains to be exceptionally exclusive and unique custom

We got used to absolutely different concept of a happy marriage , when two young people meet each

other , feel in love , decide to unite their lives and inform their families about their intentions to get married According to Indian traditions , such a decision can not be made by young people , but only by their families , after long and thorough consideration

First of all , practice of arranged marriage takes source from ancient Hinduism and historical tradition of early marriages in India . In such case , teenage groom and bride had to rely on parents ' decision as to selecting the best nominee for future spouse . Also , certainly , the caste system of Hindu society stipulates the most important principle of arranged marriages

The caste system in India is a hierarchy of social groups or communities , formed in early ages mostly by ethnic origin . This system is very complicated and complex , so it is not easy to put it into some proper and clear social . In old times this system was used for exploitation , recently it is more likely to represent wealth and origin of a person

There are 4 major casts in modern India , which actually comprise a number of sub-casts and small ethnic communities . The main cast is called The Brahmins , which was formed from top religious activists and educators . It is followed by a cast named The Kshtriyas , members of which were principal rulers of the country and military men . The next cast is The Vaishyas , which includes different merchants , sellers entrepreneurs , farmers , etc . And lower cast is called The Shudras and includes servants and craftsmen

Actually , some researchers classify also the fifth community , which does not form a separated cast and is called Dalits , or The Harijans (outcasters . It includes mostly people of the lowest class of workers like sweepers or shoemakers . This is the poorest layer of Indian society , which used to be truly oppressed . These people were not allowed to enter a temple or to appear next to public water sources , etc

Therefore , the cast system in India determines social status of a citizen . Certainly , members of higher casts receive privileges and advantages in their social life , like , for example , better places during feasts or other religious ceremonies , etc . Therefore , modern Indian cast system represents a type of social inequality , that 's why it is being severely criticized by foreign sociologists . Nevertheless , Indian people devotedly respect and esteem the cast system , so it is still followed and obeyed in this country

Certainly , the cast system considerably influences on the life-style and social activities of Indian...