riage, cease and determine as if she had then died, and the next heirs of such deceased husband then living, shall thereupon succeed to such estate. Provided that nothing in this Section shall affect the rights and interests of any widow in any estate or other property to which she may have succeeded, or become entitled under the will of her late husband or in any estate or other property which she may have inherited from her own relations, or in any Stridkar or other property acquired by her, either during the lifetime of her late husband, or after his death."
On the 17th November, 1855, a draft Bill of "An Act to remove all legal obstacles to the marriage of Hindu Widows" was introduced into the Legislative Council to the Government of India by J. P. Grant, one of the members of the Council. In introducing the Bill, the Mover (Grant), among other things, said:—"It is said that this custom (restriction of Hindu widow marriage), cruel and unnatural in itself, is highly injurious to the morals, and is otherwise most mischievous to society. From these premises, it argues that a law having such effects ought not to be forced upon any one who disapproves of it; and it prays that, as the petitioners are of opinion that the custom is not in accordance with a true interpretation of the Hindu Sastras, they and those who agree with them may be relieved from the legal restriction of which they complain.' He went on to say,—'The custom of the country is universally against the marriage of Hindu widows amongst the higher castes, and all modern English text-books affirm
