Ancient Tradition: Woman Marries Two Brothers in India

A centuries-old tradition made headlines recently when Sunita Chauhan publicly wed brothers Pradeep and Kapil Negi in a three-day ceremony. The event, which began on July 12 in Shillai village, located in India's Sirmaur district, drew hundreds of villagers to the mist-draped hills of Himachal Pradesh to witness a practice increasingly rare in modern times.

Videos of the unique wedding quickly spread across the internet, bringing global attention to the Hatti community's customs. Sunita Chauhan, originally from Kunhat village in the same district, confirmed that her decision to marry both brothers was entirely her own, free from any coercion. She stated her full awareness of the Hatti custom, known locally as "Jodidara" or "Jajda," and willingly entered the union, expressing respect for the bond they had formed. She described the arrangement as one of stability and shared support.

Pradeep Negi, the elder brother from Shillai village, who works in a government department, openly shared his pride in their decision and its deep cultural roots. "We followed the tradition publicly as we are proud of it and it was a joint decision," he stated. Kapil Negi, the younger brother currently working abroad, echoed the sentiment, adding, "We are ensuring support, stability and love for our wife as a united family. We've always believed in transparency."

Polyandry, where a woman takes multiple husbands, is an ancient tradition found in remote mountain villages and forest communities across the globe. It is significantly less common than polygyny, where a man has multiple wives, or monogamy. This practice is shaped by factors like scarcity, solidarity, and a pragmatic logic that has allowed communities to thrive under challenging conditions. In northern India, this form of marriage is often referred to as Jodidara or Pandav Pratha, a name that references the Hindu epic Mahabharata, where the legendary Draupadi married the five Pandava brothers. Several Indian ethnic groups practicing polyandry connect their customs to this ancient narrative, underscoring its historical and cultural significance.

For the Hatti community, to which Sunita and the Negi brothers belong, this marital arrangement is primarily rooted in economic necessity rather than mere tradition. The practice of brothers marrying the same woman, known as fraternal polyandry, plays a crucial role in preventing the fragmentation of ancestral farmland. By sharing a wife, the land remains intact, ensuring that plots do not become too small to sustain a family. Anthropologist Melvyn Goldstein noted that the fundamental logic behind fraternal polyandry is not about accumulating wealth, but rather about preserving it across generations. OP Sharma, former chairman of the Dr. YS Parmar Chair at Himachal Pradesh University, affirmed this perspective, explaining, "Keeping small landholdings intact and less expense on weddings were the economics behind the tradition." Kundan Singh Shastri, general secretary of the Kendriya Hatti Samiti, further elaborated that this tradition also fosters stronger security and unity among brothers who often work scattered plots in mountainous terrain, observing, "If you have a bigger family, more men, you are more secure in a tribal society."

The Hatti tribe, a close-knit community situated along the Himachal Pradesh-Uttarakhand border, was granted Scheduled Tribe status three years prior to July 2025. This recognition, according to Ramesh Singta, spokesperson for Hatti Vikas Manch, partly stems from their adherence to traditional practices such as polyandry. Singta stated, "We have got tribal status due to such old traditional practices which also find mention in revenue records. Polyandry is prevalent in about 150 villages in the Trans Giri area of Sirmaur district."

While polyandry is not explicitly sanctioned under India's Hindu Marriage Act, customary exceptions are permitted for certain tribal communities, acknowledging their unique cultural heritage. The revenue laws of Himachal Pradesh specifically recognize this tradition as "Jodidara." Furthermore, the practice finds mention under sections 494 and 495 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which address marital relationships, indicating its acknowledgment within the legal framework, even if not broadly legalized.

Historically, the practice of polyandry is thought to be more common in societies facing scarce environmental resources. It serves practical purposes such as limiting human population growth, enhancing child survival rates, pooling resources, and preserving land within families. These factors are particularly relevant in societies confronting economic challenges or significant gender imbalances. Former Chief Minister YS Parmar extensively studied the practice during his time, highlighting its complex role in the region's social and economic fabric. The continued practice within communities like the Hatti tribe underscores the deep-seated cultural and pragmatic reasons that allow such unique marital structures to endure, maintaining community cohesion and economic stability in challenging environments.