Socio-Legal Dimensions of Dowry as a Matrimonial Offence

Abstract

The available literature on evolution of Indian culture and civilization reveals that although the ancient writers pretended to record their revered admiration for the womanhood yet in actual practice women have always been suppressed and exploited by the dominant male members of the society. Law of Manu insisted that woman must constantly worship her husband as God, though he may be a wicked person or a womaniser. According to him, an ideal woman is one who does not break the bonds of her matrimonial home. The salvation and happiness of a woman thus revolved round her virtue and chastity as a daughter, wife and a widow. In the male dominated society, woman has always been kept in subjugation by her husband because by nature, she is supposed to
be weak and meek.