Knowra Dowry Dowry A dowry is property or money transferred by a bride, her family, or another party to a marriage, traditionally to the groom or his family. Its form, direction, and legal status vary across societies and periods.
Bridewealth : Property transferred from a groom or his family to a bride’s family in connection with marriage. Its direction is opposite to the traditional transfer described as dowry.
Roman marriage law : The body of rules governing marriage, family authority, and property in ancient Rome. Roman dos was a marriage transfer with rules for its management and possible return.
Dowry death : A woman’s death linked to harassment or violence over dowry demands, especially in South Asian contexts. This term names an extreme form of violence associated with dowry coercion.
Wedding gift : A present given to a couple or spouse in celebration of a marriage, usually without a compulsory obligation. A voluntary gift differs from a transfer demanded as a condition of marriage.
Dower : Property assigned to a wife, often as financial security, under marriage customs or law. Unlike a dowry, dower is generally intended for the wife’s benefit or protection.
Dos : Property provided to support a Roman marriage, usually by the bride’s family. This Roman institution is a historically specific form of dowry.
Dowry system in India : The social practice of marriage-related transfers in India, including illegal demands and payments. This specific system illustrates how dowry can become a continuing demand rather than a one-time transfer.
Trousseau : Clothing, household goods, and personal possessions assembled for a bride’s married life. A trousseau can accompany marriage without being equivalent to a transfer to the groom’s family.
Mahr : A mandatory marital gift or payment from a Muslim husband to his wife under Islamic law. It belongs to the wife, distinguishing it from dowry transfers traditionally directed to the groom’s side.
Hindu law : Religious and legal traditions governing Hindu life, including marriage, inheritance, and family obligations. Dowry practices in South Asia have been shaped by varied Hindu legal traditions.
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