Prelude With the dawn of civilization, the concept of marriage and family emerged as basic institutions of the society. Vedic era was considered as the golden era of the Hindu society where liberty, equality, dignity and Justice were accepted as basic tenets of life. There was complete freedom for women to marry or not to marry or to select a groom in social gathering, popularly known as Swayamvar. There were 3 categories of marriage-Brahma, Asura and Gandharva. Brahma form of marriage was most approved form of marriage of Rigved where a suitable groom was selected and the daughter was given in marriage with sufficient dowry, popularly known at that time as Vardakshna. In certain communities, particularly the lower and Dravidian community of the time, Asura form of marriage prevailed where bride price was accepted by the bride’s parents. In Gandharva form, marriage with free consent of the bride and bridegroom, without any pomp and show, was ....