HYPERGAMY AND HYPOGAMY
Sociologists has classified marriage into Anuloma or Pratiloma.
1. Anuloma marriage (Hypergamy): When a man of higher caste or Varna marries a woman of lower caste or Varna, it is called as anuloma or hypergamy marriage. In traditional Indian society hypergamy is known as anuloma. This was in practice among the nobles in the past. In Bengal it was found in the form of Kulinism.
2. Pratiloma marriage (Hypogamy): Pratiloma or hypogamy marriage is just opposite of anuloma or hypergamy. When a man of lower caste or status marries a woman of higher caste or status it is known as pratiloma or hypogamy marriage. This is not an approved form of marriage. Ancient Hindu law giver Manu denounced Pratiloma. Still it was in practice among the people.
Hypergamy as a rule of marriage is an inseparable part of the Hindu caste system. Manu the social thinker opposed to inter-caste marriages, gave only one concession in this regard and permitted only anuloma marriages. During the Vedic Age inter-caste marriages used to take place in the form of anuloma marriage. Anuloma marriage is a social practice according to which a boy from upper Varna, Caste, sub-caste, Kul and Gotra can marry a girl from lower Varna, Caste, sub-caste, Kul and Gotra.
Thus, for men, the following marriages are permissible:
Brahmin - Brahmin; Kshatriya; Vaishyas; Sudra
Kshatriya - Kshatriya; Vaishyas; Sudra
Vaishyas - Vaishyas; Sudra
Sudra - Sudra
Likewise, for women:
Sudra - Sudra; Vaishyas; Kshatriya; Brahmin
Vaishyas - Vaishyas; Kshatriya; Brahmin
Kshatriya - Kshatriya; Brahmin
Brahmin - Brahmin
Pratiloma on the other hand, is another form of inter-caste marriage in which a man belonging to a lower class or caste or Varna marries a woman of higher class or caste or Varna. Ancient social thinkers like Manu were bitterly against this form of inter-caste marriage. But later on, pratiloma came to be accepted by the thinker.
Of the two types of marital practices, “anuloma” and “pratiloma”, anuloma marriage was considered preferable to pratiloma marriage. Pratiloma marriage was very much discouraged and even condemned. Shastrakara Manu was of the opinion that the progeny of the most hated pratiloma would become “chandalas” or “untouchables”. Therefore, the origin of the practice of untouchability is to be seen in the practice of pratiloma marriage.
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