Marriage is the legal sanction of sexual relation recognized by the society .It is not only a legal system but it is also a social system where in presence of society as witness marriage is being conducted .It followed several rituals and ceremony which are to be followed by both the bride and groom families. The Dalits /Harijans communities also follow various rituals and rules in their marriage .Their age of marriage is also very early in relation to the other groups of caste population .Most of the marriages are being conducted between 18 to 24 years while in case of Harijan female groups it is even more earlier .In table of Rupnagar colony it is found that most of the marriage of both males and females were at the age of 20 years and 24 years (70.83%).In Fatasil Ambari (35.71%) majority  were married between 20 years and 24 years. The age at marriage of Uzanbazar Harijan Colony is a bit higher, that is in the age of 25-29 years.  In Morisali Harijan Colony the age of marriage ranges between 20 years to 24 years (42.46%), while in the Maligoan Railway colony and Panbazar Harijan colony we found marriageable age ranging from 25-29 years of age.

               From the field survey 2017-2019 it was found that there is increase in the age at marriage. The age at marriage of both the sexes were found to be increasing due to several reasons. It was found from the information provided by the informants that earlier the girls were married at a very tender age. But now due to various efforts made by the Government, and also by various NGOs there is absence of child marriage. Most of the informants said that in their native place that is in Bihar, Punjab and in Andhra Pradesh the girls were married at a tender age even now. Thus influence of Guwahati city, Assamese and other people living in the city with their wide outlook has changed the outlook of these people to a great extent.

                 The age of the bride should be less than the groom. Earlier the age difference was more but now the age difference is not that great and marriage between boys and girls of same age is most frequent these days. Marriages among the Harijans of the study colonies are mostly found to be arranged. Majority of the marriages were arranged by parents. There are also a good number of love marriages which is later on arranged by taking the consent of both the families of the bride and groom. But there are a few cases of marriages by elopement where boys and girls who love each other run away, when their love is not approved either by their parents or also by the society. But in such cases also if the eloped couple wishes to come back to their society they have to pay a fine in the form of cash or sometimes in the form of feast and their marriage then gets accepted by the society. Case 1: Arranged marriage According to Rani Basfore (60 years) class VII passed, a housewife of Morisali Harijan Colony, her marriage was arranged by her aunt, Rita Basfore(82 years,  class V passed, housewife of Uzanbazar Harijan colony ) to Arun  Basfore (64 years) class VIII passed now  retire employee  and pensioner of Railway department  in Maligoan Harijan Colony. At first both the families match the horoscope and a day was fixed 10th May 1972,when Rita Basfore brought   the boy Arun Basfore and his parents to her native home ,in order to meet her niece Rani Basfore and her family. Arun’s father Dinesh Basfore(85 years educational qualification  class VI passed worked as sweeper and  pensioner of Railway department )and Kamla Basfore( 80 years, class V passed worked as sweeper in Guwahati Medical College and a retire pensioner of it) along with few other relatives visited the house of Rani Basfore.  After they found Rani Basfore as her suitable bride for her son they send ‘Sagun thali’ to Rani’s house in the hand of Rita Basfore who acts as their middle man .They also sent a ‘lal churni as acceptance of marriage. Then a day was fixed 25th October1972 for the marriage ceremony, after taking consent of Rani by her parents. The marriage ceremony took place in their own residence with their own priest for conducting the marriage rituals. The marriage function was a very simple one with few relatives taking part. But Rani said that in her times girls consent is not given much priority .If the parents finds a suitable boy for their girl they were are ready to give. Rani said that though no dowry was demanded by her husband parents but then also Rani’s Parents willing fully give some gift to her such as bed, sofa, dining table, lamp dressing table, clothes, jewelry and some other important things. It has become their tradition to give some gift to their girl on her marriage .In their society marriage were preferred on same caste that is Harijan and also of same economic status.

                 Rigid caste endogamy is not found to be practiced among these people. .But then sometimes due to disapproval of marriage by parents, marriage by elopement is practiced. The Harijan belongs to the lowest order of caste system .Marriage of a Harijan boy with a higher caste girl (Hypogamy) is welcome in their society but it is not accepted by the parents of the girl. In that case the girl generally leaves her home and comes to live with the boy. Case 2: Hypogamy Manju Das Basfore (58 years ) an Assamese lady, housewife, (class IX passed)is originally of Birubari Guwahati. Her parents, are Rajen Das (87 years, class XII passed, retired employee of A.S.T.C) and her mother, Ranu Das( 83 years, class VI passed ,housewife). She got married to Laxman Basfore (65 years, class VII passed), who is working as a sweeper of Morisali Harijan Colony. Manju said that she fell in love with Laxman and both decided to get married but it was not accepted by both their parents. Though with much resistance Laxman’s  parents  accepted Manju but Manju’s  parents did not accept it under any circumstances. She said that her parents were strict against their marriage as Manju had chosen her husband from a Harijan community. Manju’s parents gave her two options, either to choose between her family and her lover. Manju chose to marry Laxman and thus her relationship with her parents came to an end and still now no connection exists between her parents and her .They married according to Hindu rites which are being followed in their society. Their marriage ceremony took place on 30th April 1980.

Marriage with other religions is also found to be practiced among them. Ravi Basfore(31years, class XII passed) worked as peon in Irrigation department. He belongs to Fatasil Ambari, Guwahati city. His parents are both engaged in cleaning jobs in Guwahati Medical College. He married Ragini Rao (26years,  class 12 passed), of Telegu Harijan community. She is a Christian convert .Ragini’s  parents name were both engaged with Guwahati Medical College and Indian Railways in the cleaning departments. Their marriage was at first not accepted by their elders of their society, though their family members agreed .So they have to pay a fine in the form of feast to all members of their society, after that this marriage was accepted. Their marriage ceremony was conducted following Hindu rituals but after their marriage both the couple went to church and offered prayers to God. Their marriage took place in their own residence on May 17th 2015.Although Ragini after marriage acquired the title of Ravi but she was given freedom to follow her own choice of religion .Thus, these Harijan people were found to be quite secular and broader in outlook.

Marriage Ceremony Among The Bihari Harijan

The marriage system of the Basfore people is very interesting .On the day of marriage the bridegroom has to offer rice, curd, sugar to five small boys and they would bless the bridegroom for his newly married life and they will accept the offering. Thereafter the bridegroom is to take holy bath. For this five married women would apply turmeric and that turmeric is taken to the bride’s house and applied to her before the holy bath.

                The applying of turmeric is done with mango leaf .There is a special ceremony named ‘Imligati’ where bridegroom’s mother bite mango leaves and water offered to her by her brother. Before this the groom needs to bite the mango leaf five times but he does not swallow it and takes out from his mouth and that thing has to be taken by his mother . New clothes are also given as a symbol of blessing by the maternal uncle to his sister.

                There is also a ceremony called as ‘Harigaria’ conducted a day before marriage where a family heirloom wood usually long ,tied with banana sapling ,mango leaves is being placed on a floral drawing called as ‘Rongoli/alpana’ along with a pot filled with water to the top and covered with mango leaves . An oil lamp is lightened on the top of it .In this ceremony five male members are required who would  tie five knots in the wood .After marriage ceremony the newly married couple takes bath by the water .The Bihari Harijan people made  special pots where idols of Goddess ‘Parvati’ and Ganesh’ are being made and this pot is placed on the ‘mandop’ along with it where a hoe and yoke is also kept .Before the bridegroom moves out for the bride’s place his mother used to take a pastel in her sari and move five times around the groom .This is done in order to remove the bad evils spirits .These people call a Brahmin priest for performing the marriage ceremony.

There is also a ceremony called ‘Khir khori’ where sweet rice is offered to the newly married couple and bridegroom is asked what are his demands and it is said that unless and until his demand is not fulfilled he will not eat that ‘kheer’or sweet rice. Now it has remained as a custom only. The evil effects of dowry are not visible among the Bihari Harijan people of these colonies under study. This is mainly due to the fact that they are far from their native place and the Assamese society till recent times was known to be free from this evil practice. Moreover, these people being literates have come to realize that it is considered as an offence and they may be punished by the law. Thus, urban influence and literacy have created some awareness among these people.

Marriage Rituals Among The Telegu Harijans

The marriage system among the Telegu people is also very peculiar .The bride has to come to the bridegroom’s house on the day of marriage The bride carries with her a pot full of rice and that rice is grinded and used in the marriage ceremony .The married women wears a ring on their toes which symbolizes that she is married .On the day of marriage after the bride and the bridegroom returns to the groom’s house, turmeric is applied to the couple and thereafter holy bath is given to them .There is a custom of calling a barber and he cuts the nails before marriage .The bride wears a sari named as’pradam’in their local language while the groom wears shirts and pants .They do not wear their  traditional dresses .The couple are allowed to make seven rounds around a plant usually mango tree. But now days due to shortage of big trees, the colony people bring mango plant erected on a pot for the ritual.

                There is a tradition of putting a mixture of ‘Jeera’ (cumin) and ‘gur’(jaggery) on two betel leaves and on the top turmeric and vermillion or ‘sindur’ is placed. The betel leaf is exchanged by the couple and that it is placed on each others’ head .The rice brought by the bridegroom is also worshipped on the occasion .Then that rice is filled on the half coconut and put on each others’ head .The guest sprinkled ‘haldi sawal’turmeric rice on the couple .In return of the gift by the guest the couple offers sweet and chapattis to the guest. At last the bride is shown ‘arundhati sitara’ (star) in the sky by the groom.

                The marriage ceremony is mainly conducted by the Telegu priest who is called from outside .It is found that the Telegu people were mainly vegetarian and almost on all occasions they followed vegetarian diet. But these days as they live with the other linguistic communities, they also make non vegetarian food items.

Marriage Rituals Among The Punjabi Harijan 

The marriage ceremony followed by the Punjabi people is very simple. A day before marriage is mehndi ceremony where the bride’s hands and feet were decorated with ‘mehndi’. This is called as ‘Shagun ki mehndi’ .On the eve of marriage both the couple were applied turmeric paste and in this ceremony only married women participate .The bride wears the traditional Punjabi dress and the groom wears ‘kurta and pajamas’ with their swords. Sikhs follow ‘Granth Sahab’ which is  a very holy book for them and marriage takes place in Gurudwaras  where the couple takes blessings from the Granth Saheb which was placed in an altar of the holy shrine. In a marriage ceremony the hymns of ‘Granth Saheb’ is being read out and the couple takes four round around the Granth Saheb and exchange garlands of flowers and are declared as husband and wife .The Sikhs are found to be liberal in case of marriage and there is no caste discrimination in their society. Sikhism is divided into two groups the‘sardars’ the upper caste and ‘Majabis’ the lower caste but no difference is seen in case of marriage .A party or feast is given to the guests.

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