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Home/Anthropology/Mains PYQ/2017/Paper I/Marriage & Family
UPSC MainsAnthropology Optional Paper I 2017 15 Marks Model Answer Available

Preferential Marriage in Indian Tribal Societies — 2017 Paper I

Question · 2017 · Paper I · 15 Marks

Discuss the different forms of preferential marriage with suitable examples from tribal societies in India.

Model Answer

VAID ICS

Approach

  • Demand of Question:Identify the main preferential forms of marriage and explain their social logic with Indian tribal illustrations.
  • Structuring the Response:Define preferential marriage; discuss cross-cousin, levirate, sororate and other recurrent preferences; connect each to alliance, continuity and property; conclude with changing practice.
  • Key Dimensions to Cover:Cross-cousin marriage; levirate; sororate; widow inheritance; alliance and reciprocity; Gond, Bhil, Munda, Oraon and selected South Indian tribal examples.

Model Answer

Introduction Preferential marriage refers to a cultural rule where a specific category of kin is highly favored as a spouse, though not absolutely mandatory (prescriptive). In Indian tribal societies, these practices are functional mechanisms designed to solidify inter-group alliances, retain property, and provide social security.

Body

  1. Cross-Cousin MarriageMarriage between children of siblings of the opposite sex (Mother's Brother's Child or Father's Sister's Child).
  • Symmetrical: Exchange of siblings between two groups.
  • Asymmetrical (Matrilateral): Marriage with Mother's Brother's Daughter (MBD).
  • Tribal Examples: Highly prevalent among the Gonds of Madhya Pradesh (who call it Doodh Lautawa - return of milk), Bhils, and the Oraon.
  • Social Logic: It renews existing affinal relationships generation after generation, prevents the fragmentation of property, and avoids the high cost of new bridewealth.
  1. Levirate MarriageThe custom where a widow marries her deceased husband's brother.
  • Senior Levirate: Marriage with husband’s elder brother (Rare).
  • Junior Levirate: Marriage with husband’s younger brother (Common).
  • Tribal Examples: Widely practiced among the Munda, Santhal, Bhil, and Toda (historically associated with fraternal polyandry).
  • Social Logic: Ensures social security for the widow and orphans, keeps the children within the deceased husband’s patrilineage, and prevents the return of the bride-price.
  1. Sororate MarriageThe custom where a widower marries his deceased wife's sister (usually younger sister).
  • Tribal Examples: Found among the Kharia, Gond, and Baiga.
  • Social Logic: The wife's lineage fulfills its obligation to provide a fertile spouse (especially if the first wife died childless). It provides a surrogate mother who is blood-related to the existing children, minimizing step-parent friction.
  1. Uncle-Niece MarriageMarriage between a man and his sister's daughter.
  • Tribal Examples: Predominantly found in Dravidian kinship systems in South India, such as among the Chenchu and Kadar.
  • Social Logic: It severely tightens family bonds and keeps domestic wealth closely guarded within a very tight circle of consanguineal kin.

Anthropology  Significance (Lévi-Strauss's Alliance Theory)

Form of Marriage Primary Function Kinship Effect
Cross-Cousin Economic/Alliance Transforms consanguineal ties into durable affinal reciprocity.
Levirate Social Security Retains woman/children in the husband's descent group.
Sororate Continuity Replaces a lost spouse, preserving inter-family ties.

Conclusion Preferential marriage in tribal India is not an arbitrary tradition but a highly rational social strategy. It serves as a flexible mechanism for securing economic resources, reinforcing durable political alliances between lineages, and ensuring community welfare during demographic crises.

 

2026 Feminist movement and family. 2025 How the study of variation in forms of marriage led to rethinking on the concepts of social reproduction, kinship and family? 2024 Define urbanization and discuss its impact on family in India with examples. 2023 Discuss the role of marriage regulations in traditional societies in India for strengthening social solidarity.

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