Previous Year Question
Which of the following statement/s is/are correct?
Akbar tried to fix the age of marriage for boys and girls.
Akbar gave freedom to girls to marry at their own will and not under parental pressure.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
Codes:
Only 1
Only 2
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer: C
Detailed Solution
During his reign, Akbar attempted to regulate certain social practices associated with marriage, particularly child marriage and forced marriage.
Statement 1 is correct. Akbar attempted to prescribe a minimum age for marriage. Under his social reforms, marriage below 16 years for boys and 14 years for girls was discouraged.
An administrative arrangement was also made for verification of marriageable age. In particular, the age of the son or daughter of a noble family was to be ascertained by an official before the marriage took place.
Therefore, it is correct to state that Akbar attempted to fix the age of marriage for boys and girls.
Statement 2 is also correct. Akbar attached importance to the consent of the bride and bridegroom in marriage. Instead of a marriage being determined solely by the family, the wishes of the young man and woman concerned were to be taken into account—an important aspect of his marriage reforms.
The purpose of this arrangement was particularly to prevent a situation in which a girl was married against her wishes merely because of the decision or pressure of her parents.
The impact of Akbar's efforts on contemporary society remained limited, and practices such as child marriage did not disappear. Nevertheless, the attempt by the state to regulate marriageable age and recognise consent in marriage was significant.