Social Customs of Jats

Social Customs of Jats allows widow remarriage and prohibits marriage within same gotras. The Jat Matrimony customs stress on alliances with the Jat community. The matrimony sites in India have separate sections for Jat brides and grooms. 

The Jat Community people originally hail from the Northern Indians states, mostly from Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. They have roots in the Sindh region of Pakistan. During the medieval days, the community members migrated to western Gangetic Plain areas, northeastern Rajputana, and the Delhi territory. Originally, most of the members were engaged in agricultural activities, but they are not shifting to various professions.

Jats, whether poor farmer or a rich landlord, shares equal social status in their community. They elderly person in the society is respected and financial background is not the reason. There social customs are unique and require special mention.

Weddings in the Jat community are having strict rituals and Jat members follow it religiously. Alliances for Jat Matrimony should be from their own community only. It is not accepted in their society to marry a non-Jat. A non-Jat bride is accepted, but this is not encouraged by the community members. However, if a Jat girl marries a boy outside the community, it is a taboo. The parents and the community members in general consider this step a blot of disgrace.

Another common matrimonial necessity is that the bride and groom cannot be of the same gotras. If the couple is of the same gotras, they are considered brother and sister. Jat matrimony customs also does not allow marrying from the same village, even of the girl and boy is of different gotras.

The social customs practiced by the Jat community members have a number of advantages. The Jat matrimonial customs maintains the racial purity. The marriage within the community biologically promotes healthy next generation. It is proven that physical degeneration is prevented in the coming generation. Another good thing about their social custom is that since young boys and girls from the village are considered brother-sister, the community boys give a sanctimonious regards to the girls.

The Jats believe in widow remarriage. Unlike many communities in India, where widow marriage is not allowed, in the Jat social system, it is an obligation. Widow marriage, known as karewa, happens within the first cousin or relatives of the husband. After a year of death of the husband, the widow is allowed to remarry. She can marry first cousins or brothers of the deceased. The boy chosen by the widow have to marry her, as it the societal norm of Jats.

Widows with children do not remarry though. They are financial supported by the nearest relatives of the husband. Young windows, without any child are encouraged to remarry. In the state of emotional lows, they are persuaded to select the boy from their husband’s family.

Most of the Jats still believe in the joint family system. Large families, living, and sharing the same hearth are of importance to them. With the change in professions and finding work away from home, the joint family system is losing out. With modernized outlook, the matrimony sites in India are having profiles of Jats community girls and boys.

Author: Shipra