Hindu Law and Sources of Woman’s Property

Hindu law prescribes acceptable sources of woman's property. Under Hindu law, a Hindu woman can acquire property through any of the prescribed sources.

They are:

• Gifts and bequests from relatives.
• Gifts and bequests from strangers.
• Property secured on partition.
• Property given as maintenance.
• Property that is obtained as inheritance.
• Property that is acquired by mechanical arts.
• Property that is obtained by compromise.
• Property that is acquired by diverse possession.
• Property that is purchased using Stridhana or income from Stridhana.
• Property given as part of bequests and gifts.
• Property from any other sources other than the abovementioned sources.

Hindu Law: Gifts from Relations Constitute Woman’s Property

All schools of Hindu law (except the Dayabhaga school) recognize that gifts from relatives constitute woman’s property, provided:

• The gifts are made before the nuptial fire.
• The gifts are made at the bridal procession.
• The gifts are given when the bride is touching the feet of elders.
• The gifts are given after marriage.
• The gifts are made on supersession.
• The gifts are made as a marriage fee.
• The gifts are an expression of affection from the in-laws.
• The gifts are from the husband.

Hindu Law: Gifts from a Stranger Constitute Woman's Property

In Hindu law, gifts from a stranger are acceptable by a Hindu woman as given below:

• Gifts given to her during maidenhood.
• Gifts given before the nuptial fire or the bridal procession.
• Gifts that are bequeathed as per the Bombay, Benares and Madras schools of law.

Further, in Hindu law, any property given or bequeathed to a Hindu female during the period of widowhood is treated as her Stridhana as well.