Abstract

The unfavourable sex ratio is a significant concern in contemporary Asian emerging nations such as Taiwan, South Korea, China, India, and Pakistan. Among these, India—particularly its northern states such as Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Punjab—has been disproportionately affected. Haryana is one of the states with the most pronounced gender inequality. While the state is widely recognized for its agricultural productivity, industrial development, electricity generation, and consistent contributions to the sports sector, it is also frequently criticized for its regressive social attitudes. These include resistance to inter-caste marriages, honour killings, entrenched patriarchy, crimes against women, female foeticide, and a predominantly masculine sex ratio. Such practices have contributed to a shortage of marriageable women and a growing marriage crisis. In response, there has been a significant influx of cross-regional brides into the state, with surplus bachelors seeking spouses from other regions of India—particularly from the North-East, South, Central, and Eastern parts of the country—as well as from transnational sources such as Nepal and Bangladesh. This article reflects the declining sex ratio, long-distance matrimonial alliances within Haryana, and explores the lived experiences of cross-regional brides in interregional marriages.