Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation
Who among the following had ordered that a man should marry only one wife and could marry another only when the first wife was barren?
Solution & Analysis
Answer: C
Concept
Akbar sought to standardize social practices to improve the dignity of women and maintain social order. His laws on marriage were quite advanced for the 16th century.Explanation
Akbar introduced a regulation that a man should generally have only one wife. A second marriage was only permitted if the first wife was barren. He also raised the minimum age for marriage to 14 for girls and 16 for boys to combat the issue of child marriage.Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Akbar's goal was to limit polygamy and protect women's status in society, which he saw as essential for a stable empire.
Logic 2: Along with this, he legalized widow remarriage and discouraged the practice of Sati unless the widow chose it entirely of her own free will.