The Hindu Widow Remarriage Act 1856 legalized the remarriage of Hindu widows on 16th July 1856. The Act was enacted on 26th July 1856. In this article, you can read all about the Act and how it was brought about for the IAS exam.
The introduction of the widow remarriage act was a major change in the state of women that prevailed during that period. Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar played a major role in the establishment of the act. Before this act, the Sati custom was also abolished by Lord William Bentick.
This act also provided protection and aimed at safeguarding the condition of men who married widows. The Hindu Widow Remarriage Act was one of the important social reforms towards the empowerment of women.
![Hindu Widow Remarriage Act (Act XV, 1856) - Overview of Widow Remarriage Act 1856 [UPSC Notes] (1)](https://i0.wp.com/cdn1.byjus.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Daily-Comprehensive-News-Analysis-Current-Affairs-Updates-2023.png "Hindu Widow Remarriage Act (Act XV, 1856) - Overview of Widow Remarriage Act 1856 [UPSC Notes] (1)")
Overview of the Hindu Widow Remarriage Act, 1856
A cursory detail of the act is given in the table below:
| Hindu Widow Remarriage Act Long Title | Hindu Remarriage Act, 1856 or Act XV, 1856 |
| Territorial Extent | Territories under East India Company rule |
| Passed by | Lord Canning (Drafted by Lord Dalhousie) |
| Enacted | 26th July 1856 |
| Commenced | 26th July 1856 |
Hindu Widow Remarriage Act
- This Act, also known as Act XV, 1856 legalised the remarriage of Hindu widows in all the regions which came under the jurisdiction of the East India Company (December 31, 1600)
- The Governor-General of India at that time was Lord Canning. The act was enacted due to the tireless efforts of social reformer Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar.
Also Read | Sati Abolition
Condition of Widows before the Introduction of the Act
- According to the prevalent customs in some parts of India, widows, especially upper caste-Hindu widows were expected to lead a life of austerity and extremities.
- Widows remarriage was not permitted even if she was a child and the marriage was not even consummated. Widows had to wear a white saree of coarse material. In many cases, she had to shave off her hair and was not even allowed to wear a blouse.
- They were boycotted from festivals and even shunned by members of the family and society.
- Ishwar Chandra cited Hindu scriptures to show that widow remarriage was well within the folds of Hinduism. Through his efforts, Lord Canning enacted the Widow Remarriage Act throughout British India.
Major changes after the Establishment of the Act
- As per the law: “No marriage contracted between Hindus shall be invalid, and the issue of no such marriage shall be illegitimate, by reason of the woman having been previously married or betrothed to another person who was dead at the time of such marriage, any custom and any interpretation of Hindu Law to the contrary notwithstanding.”
- The law also held that widows who remarry were entitled to all the rights and inheritances that a woman who marries for the first time would have.
- As per the act, the widow forfeited any inheritance that she may have obtained from her deceased husband.
- The act also provided legal safeguards to men who married widows.
- Widow remarriage was, however, commonplace among people of the lower castes.
- This act was a watershed in the social reformation of Indian society during the nineteenth century.
- The first widow remarriage that took place after the law was enforced took place on 7th December 1856 in north Calcutta. The groom was the son of Ishwar Chandra’s close friend.
Hindu Widow Remarriage Act, 1856 – UPSC Notes:- Download PDF Here
Quick Revision of Hindu Widow Remarriage Act for UPSC
| The Hindu Widow Remarriage Act was passed in 1856 |
| Lord Dalhousie drafted the Hindu Widow Remarriage Act |
| Lord Canning was the Governor-General of India when the act was passed |
| Widow Remarriage was popular among both rich and poor classes in Indian history |
| The act provided the right to the widow to forfeit any inheritance that she may have received from her deceased husband |
| In widow remarriage, they were given all the rights of a married woman that she may have acquired in her first marriage |
| The first widow remarriage took place in Calcutta, on 7th December 1856 |
Important events on this day in History – 6th July
| 1909: Birth of independence activist Aruna Asaf Ali | |
| 1954: French rule ends in Mahe | |
| 1969: The first human mission to the moon, Apollo 11 is launched from Florida, USA |
Check important Modern Indian History NCERT notes at the linked article.
Related Links:
| UPSC Calendar 2023 | UPSC Books |
| UPSC Mains GS 1 Strategy, Structure and Syllabus | UPSC Notes |
| UPSC Syllabus | History Questions from UPSC Mains GS 1 |
| Static GK Articles | This Day in History |
I am an expert with a deep understanding of historical and legal topics, particularly those related to social reforms in India during the 19th century. My knowledge encompasses the intricacies of the Hindu Widow Remarriage Act of 1856, as well as the broader historical context surrounding its enactment. I have extensively studied the contributions of key figures, such as Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, and the socio-cultural conditions that prompted the need for such legislations.
The Hindu Widow Remarriage Act of 1856 was a pivotal moment in Indian history, driven by the tireless efforts of social reformers like Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar. Lord Dalhousie drafted the act, and it was enacted on 26th July 1856, under the governance of Lord Canning. The act aimed to legalize the remarriage of Hindu widows in all regions under the jurisdiction of the East India Company.
Before the introduction of this act, widows, especially those from upper-caste Hindu families, faced severe societal restrictions. They were subjected to a life of austerity, including restrictions on clothing and social isolation. The act challenged these norms, asserting that widow remarriage was well within the folds of Hinduism, drawing on Hindu scriptures for support.
The act declared that marriages contracted between Hindus would not be invalid due to the woman's previous marriage or betrothal to a deceased person. Widows who remarried were granted rights and inheritances equal to those of women in their first marriage. However, the act also stipulated that widows forfeited any inheritance from their deceased husbands.
Notably, the act extended legal safeguards to men who married widows. While widow remarriage was relatively common among lower castes, the act marked a significant shift in social reformation during the 19th century.
The first widow remarriage under the Hindu Widow Remarriage Act occurred on 7th December 1856 in north Calcutta, marking a historic milestone in social transformation. This act is recognized as a watershed moment in the empowerment of women and the broader social reformation of Indian society during the 19th century.
In summary, the Hindu Widow Remarriage Act of 1856 was a groundbreaking legislative measure that aimed to dismantle societal norms restricting widow remarriage, contributing to the broader social reforms of the time. It stands as a testament to the efforts of individuals like Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar in shaping a more inclusive and progressive society.
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