Child marriage is often seen as a matter of law and human rights and widely considered in the world economy not just as a human rights violation, but as a severe macroeconomic burden. While that view is valid today, it does not fully explain why generations of Indian families accepted and sometimes encouraged the practice. It did not arise from ignorance alone; it developed through the combined effects of history, insecurity, poverty, social customs, and economic pressures. Understanding these forces is essential if India is to end child marriage permanently. How could a civilization that celebrated women scholars such as Gargi and Maitreyi later witness the widespread practice of child marriage?

The answer lies not in any single religious tradition or cultural belief, but in centuries of political upheaval, economic insecurity, changing social norms, and evolving notions of family honour. Child marriage in India was neither universal nor static. It developed gradually over time, influenced by historical circumstances that varied across regions and communities. Understanding this evolution is essential, not to justify the practice, but to appreciate how societies change and why education has emerged as the most powerful force in transforming the lives of girls. The encouraging news is that India has made remarkable progress. Yet the challenge is far from over.

The country’s experience demonstrates that legislation alone cannot end child marriage; sustained investment in girls’ education, economic opportunity, and community awareness is what changes social behaviour. Several eminent historians have examined the evolution of marriage practices in ancient and medieval India. Historian Romila Thapar observes that early Indian society exhibited considerable diversity in marriage customs, with evidence suggesting that girls in many communities married only after attaining maturity. A. L. Basham, in The Wonder That Was India, notes that child marriage became increasingly common during the later medieval period as social structures grew more rigid and concerns over security and family honour intensified.

Similarly, historian Upinder Singh, in A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India, points out that early Indian society was........

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