Paper short abstract:

The paper will reflect on various kinds of intermediaries who allow middle class families to limit risk in matchmaking, since they help to locate apparently 'suitable' grooms or brides and verify their qualities.

Paper long abstract:

Arranged marriage owes its uncontested popularity among the middle-class to its outstanding flexibility. Over the years, it has integrated many changes regarding criteria of selection, intermediaries involved in the matrimonial strategies and selection process (with a growing implication of the young generation).

The paper will reflect on various kinds of intermediaries who allow middle-class families to locate apparently 'suitable' grooms or brides (fulfilling the required - personal, familial, collective - criteria) and verify their qualities (including those of their family members).

While 'traditional' service castes who had an intimate knowledge of their patrons religiousness, body and genealogy (Brahman, Barber, Genealogist) were left out in the selection process, other ones came into use, in particular modern and global intermediaries such as Newspapers and, more recently, Internet. Their growing role in matrimonial strategies did not however marginalize the specific contribution of kin and caste. Families appeal to kin solidarity and rely on new caste structures, such as marriage fairs (mainly intended for middle-class and poor families).

By doing so, they intend to limit risk taking in matchmaking and to make sure that the new couple, and their respective kin (as well as the community) will reap the (short and long term) benefits expected from marriage.

My paper will be based on a long term fieldwork accomplished in the early nineties among middle-class families in Jaipur, Rajasthan, and focus in particular on Maheshwaris (who belong to the Marwaris, a well-known business community).