- By Aditi Priya Singh
- Mon, 21 Jul 2025 12:03 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
All About Polyandry Marriage: Polyandry is a special and rare type of marriage where one woman is married to more than one man at the same time. Many people may find this strange, but it has been a part of some ancient customs around the world, particularly in hilly or tribal regions. Fraternal polyandry is the term used to describe this kind of marriage, which typically involves brothers as the men. In regions like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Ladakh, Nepal and Tibet, where resources like food and land were scarce, this type of marriage was most common.
Today, the majority of nations, including India, forbid polyandry. However, the practice is still silently carried out as a traditional custom in some tribal and rural communities. Although it is uncommon today, polyandry is a distinctive illustration of how some societies turned to marriage as a means of coping with difficult living circumstances.
Himachal Pradesh Hatti Couple Revive Polyandry Marriage
Recently, a woman in Shillai village of Himachal Pradesh married two brothers of the Hatti tribe under the anachronistic tradition of polyandry. As per reports, the bride Sunita Chauhan and the grooms Pradeep and Kapil Negi said they took the decision without any pressure and they are proud of their tradition. Hundreds of people witnessed this marriage as they were present at that moment. This custom, known as Jodidara, is now rare but still recognised under the state’s revenue laws.
Let's understand all about polyandry and see the various cultures around the world and how they have changed over time.
History of Polyandry
All About Polyandry (Image: Himachal Pradesh of general studies)
Polyandry has been practised for hundreds of years in certain parts of the world. It was mostly practised in tribal and mountainous regions with limited resources and land. Tibetan communities may have been among the first to adopt this practice, according to historical records. In these areas, polyandry eventually assimilated into the social and economic fabric. It was viewed as a workable solution in certain situations to issues like poverty, land division and surviving in harsh environments. One most well-known examples in Indian history is the marriage of Draupadi to the five Pandav brothers.
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Types of Polyandry
Polyandry is mainly divided into two types:
1. Fraternal Polyandry
In this kind of marriage, a woman is married to two or more brothers from the same family. This type of polyandry is the most common. It keeps the wealth and land in the family and helps prevent property division among siblings.
2. Non-Fraternal Polyandry
In this case, a woman marries several men who are not related to each other. This is a less common form that typically occurs when a woman decides to marry more than one man to receive social or financial support.
Where Is Polyandry Practised?
Polyandry is not commonly practised in most parts of the world today. However, it still exists in a few specific regions:
India: In some tribal and hilly regions of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Ladakh, fraternal polyandry is still followed by a few families.
Tibet: It was widely practised to prevent the breakup of family land and property.
Nepal: Among certain ethnic groups, especially in the Himalayan villages, polyandry still exists to some extent.
Parts of Africa: A few tribal communities have shown traces of polyandrous relationships, but they are not very common.
Why do Some Societies follow Polyandry?
Polyandry is usually practised in societies where natural resources are limited and land division could lead to economic problems. Some major reasons include:
Land Protection: In regions with limited fertile land, families prefer brothers to marry the same woman so the land is not divided.
Economic Survival: More husbands mean more working hands and better income for the family.
Population Control: In difficult terrains, polyandry helps limit the number of children, as fewer women give birth.
Social Security: A woman in a polyandrous marriage is often supported by more than one man, giving her better protection.
Is Polyandry Legal?
The current marriage laws in the majority of countries, including India, prohibit polyandry. Monogamy, one man married to one woman, or vice versa, is recognised by Indian law. Polyandrous marriages are regarded as void in court and are not registered. Nonetheless, traditional customs are still practised in isolated and tribal regions without official legal recognition.
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Challenges of Polyandry
Though polyandry has some social and economic benefits in certain areas, it also brings challenges:
Emotional Issues: Jealousy and competition between husbands can create conflicts.
Parental Confusion: It may be difficult to identify the biological father of a child.
Legal and Inheritance Issues: Since such marriages are not legally recognised, women and children may face problems in claiming rights or inheritance.
Is Polyandry Still Practised Today?
Polyandry is gradually disappearing as a result of education, modern thought and changing lifestyles. Government programs for housing, employment and land have decreased the need for monogamous relationships, which are now preferred by the majority of young people in these areas.
Overall, Polyandry is a unique and ancient marriage system that developed out of social and environmental needs. It may seem strange in the modern world, but in some communities it had a function. Respecting cultural diversity and learning how societies adjust to survive in various environments are two benefits of understanding such customs.
