Author: Uddipta Biswas

ABSTRACT

This paper traces the evolution of marriage laws in India from the colonial period to the present, analysing how legal frameworks, case laws, and personal law reforms have shaped the institution of marriage. It examines key shifts in legislation and judicial interpretation to show how marriage law has been used to negotiate questions of gender, community identity, and state authority. The study argues that the changing legal landscape reflects the ongoing tension between tradition, social reform, and constitutional principles in modern India. Methodologically, this paper adopts a doctrinal and interpretive legal approach, analysing statutes, judicial decisions, and secondary literature within a broader socio-legal framework.