In 1872, the Indian Christian Marriage Act was passed under the British Raj, standardizing the rules for Christian marriages in India. This legislation established colonial oversight over indigenous religious practices and aimed to regulate marriage among Christians in a diverse society. The Act had lasting implications for the intersection of religion, law, and personal rights in colonial India.

The passage of the Indian Christian Marriage Act in 1872 catalyzed a wave of literature exploring cultural tensions in colonial India. Poets like Sarojini Naidu addressed the clash between traditional and westernized courtship conventions, enriching the literary landscape.