Marumakkathayam Law in India: An Overview

Marumakkathayam Law in India: An Overview

Author Name : Devashna Bhatia

ABSTRACT Marumakkathayam, a customary law which followed a matrilineal system of inheritance and succession, was a distinctive legal and social structure followed in Kerala, India, particularly by communities such as the Nairs, some Ezhavas, and the Mappila Muslims. This system stands out due to its unique features that emphasize matrilineal lineage, joint family structure, and property inheritance through the female line. Over time, with societal modernization and legal reforms, Marumakkathayam underwent significant transformations. This paper provides an in-depth exploration of the historical context, legal framework, social implications, and the evolution of Marumakkathayam law in India, analyzing its eventual dissolution and integration into the mainstream legal systems of the country and the status of devolution of property under the Marumakkathayam system, a matrilineal system of inheritance practiced in parts of South India in contemporary times. It also draws attention to the issue of determining whether disputed properties are considered Tharwad or separate property.