The Despicable Persistence of the Dowry in India

Keeping Tradition

Washing machines, cars, money and jewelry: These are the costs to women’s families to marry them to 'suitable' men.

Published Aug. 4 2014 5:45AM EDT

articles/2014/08/04/the-despicable-persistence-of-the-dowry-in-india/140803-jha-dowry-tease_pnsvk4 — Punit Paranjpe/AFP/Getty

NEW DELHI — This April, Guruswamy, a 52-year-old platform cleaner with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, had finally found a caste-appropriate match for his 16-year-old daughter Pankaja.

Nishita Jha

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The Despicable Persistence of the Dowry in India

Washing machines, cars, money and jewelry: These are the costs to women’s families to marry them to 'suitable' men.

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Nishita Jha