Question

With reference to the Cochin Nair Act of 1937-38, consider the following statements:

1. It abolished Marumakkathayam and joint families.
2. It prohibited the marriage of a female less than 16 years of age and male less than 21 years of age.
3. It also prohibited the practice of polygamy.

• A. All of these
• B. 3 only
• C. 1 only
• D. None of these

Answer 1

Answer:

A. All of these

Nair Acts in Travancore

• The Ancient Kerala society consisted of several castes like Nairs, Ezhavas, Mappilas, Vellalas, etc.
• Most of them followed the Marumakkathayam system of succession and inheritance
• In Marumakkathayam descent and the inheritance of property was passed from maternal uncle to nephews or nieces
• A movement against this law of inheritance was started by the junior members of the Marumakathayam families.
• This movement was started in Travancore under the Nair Service Society
• In 1907, the Government of Travancore appointed a committee to study the matters.
• A Bill was introduced in the legislation by the Government and passed it into a law as the Nair Act of 1912.
• This was also known as the First Nair Act.
• The law granted permission half of the self-acquired property of a male to his sons and other half to his
  nephews.
  
  
• The Second Nair Act was passed in 1925 and provided for the individual partition of the Nair Taravads to the sons and deprived the claims to the nephews on properties of their uncles.
• The Act also prohibited the practice of polygamy.
• By these act, Marumakkathayam system came to an end among the Hindu community.

Nair Acts in Kochi

• After the regulations in Travancore,in Kochi legislation was passed to amend the law of inheritance and marriage.
• The Kochi Nair Regulation of 1919-1920 imposed restrictions on the powers of Karnavar and facilitated the partition of joint families.
• It legalized customary marriages and it was declared that the wife and children as being entitled to be looked after by the husband or the father.
  
  
• The Cochin Nair Act of 1937 -1938 abolished the institution of joint families and Marumakkathayam.
• The Act provided that every members of Taravadu could claim his share of properties of the Taravadu by demanding individual partition.
• This Act prohibited the marriage of a female less than 16 years of age and male less than 21 years of the age.
• It also prohibited the practice of polygamy