The Surprising Tradition of Polygamy in Rajasthan's Desert Villages

A Unique Cultural Practice

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 certain regions of Rajasthan, particularly in the village of Derasar in Barmer, the scenario is quite different. Here, husbands often abandon their pregnant wives to seek out a second spouse.

This shocking reality raises eyebrows: how can someone consider marrying again while their wife is expecting? In some areas of Rajasthan, it is a common practice for husbands to take a second wife when their first wife is pregnant. Disturbingly, the women are often aware from the outset that this day will come.

Despite the progress made in eradicating many social evils, this tradition persists in specific locales. In these regions, it is customary for men to marry again before they become fathers. This practice originated in Derasar, where severe water scarcity forces women to travel long distances in extreme weather to fetch water. From a young age, girls are trained to carry water, and their marriage prospects are often determined by their ability to do so.

Once a woman becomes pregnant, fetching water becomes increasingly difficult. Consequently, husbands often marry a second wife to share the burden of water collection while ensuring their first wife is cared for. According to the 2011 census, Derasar has a population of 596, with 309 men and 287 women.

The tradition of polygamy has been entrenched in Derasar for years, and similar practices can be found in various villages in Maharashtra. 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 manages the household while the others gather sufficient water. It is not uncommon for these second wives to be widows or divorced women. Alarmingly, older men sometimes marry much younger women, as younger brides are perceived to be more capable of carrying water.

Authorities often struggle to intervene in these polygamous arrangements, which are frequently sanctioned by the first or second wives. This leaves officials feeling powerless in the face of such entrenched customs.