Shocking Marital Practices in Rajasthan: The Tradition of Multiple Marriages

A Disturbing Custom in Rajasthan

In many cultures, when a wife becomes pregnant, her husband typically showers her with love and care, eagerly anticipating the arrival of their child. However, in the village of Derasar in Barmer, Rajasthan, a startling tradition exists where husbands abandon their pregnant wives to seek out a second spouse. This practice has been ongoing for decades, raising eyebrows and questions about its morality.

It may seem unbelievable that someone would consider marrying again while their wife is expecting, yet in certain regions of Rajasthan, this is a harsh reality. Women are often aware from the outset that they may have to share their husbands with another woman once they become pregnant.

Despite the progress made in eradicating many social evils, this custom persists in some areas. In Derasar, it is customary for men to take a second wife before they become fathers. The root of this tradition lies in the severe water scarcity in the region, forcing women to travel long distances in extreme weather to fetch water. Girls are trained from a young age to carry water, and those who excel in this task are deemed suitable for marriage.

Once a woman is pregnant, the burden of fetching water becomes even more challenging. Consequently, husbands often marry a second wife to alleviate the water-fetching responsibilities, allowing them to care for their first wife. According to the 2011 census, Derasar has a population of 596, with 309 men and 287 women.

The practice of polygamy is not limited to Rajasthan; similar customs exist in various villages in Maharashtra, where it has become commonplace. In some cases, fetching water can take wives up to twelve hours, as they must traverse multiple villages. In Maharashtra, there are approximately 19,000 villages where second wives are referred to as 'water wives.'

In another village, Dengamal, men may marry up to three times, with the rationale that one wife can manage the household while the others gather sufficient water. It is often observed that second wives are widows or women left by their previous husbands. Disturbingly, older men sometimes marry much younger women, believing they are more capable of carrying water.

Authorities often find it challenging to intervene in these polygamous arrangements, as they occur with the consent of the first or second wives. This leaves officials feeling powerless to enact change.