dowry

The man paid a dowry of about $850, and after the agent and the officiant took their cuts, she was left with about half that.

Once we give dowry for our girls, we will starve to death.

Shivani and the police say Anshika died by suicide - but her family and neighbours allege that she was murdered for dowry.

These marriages are rooted in desperation: Many parents in the camps can no longer feed their children or afford the traditional dowry demanded by grooms.

They were among thirty enslaved people given to the couple as part of Polly’s dowry.