Sarbala

For places in Iran, see Sarbala, Iran.

A sarbala, in certain wedding customs from the Indian subcontinent, is a nephew or cousin of the groom who accompanies the groom during the ceremony as his protector. The sarbala can also be the "future groom's" brother in law.

The word "sarbala" (Punjabi), "shahbala" (Urdu) is derived from Sanskrit which means associate groom.

The sarbala often wears a similar outfit to the groom and rides a horse.

The tradition is most common in Hindu weddings but may also be part of Muslim or Sikh ceremonies.

In past a baraat or a marriage procession would go to the bride's village for the marriage ceremony carrying gold and valuable gifts. An attack of robbers on the baraat or the marriage procession was a common occurrence at those times where the robbers would kill everyone in the procession and rob the valuables. The Sarbala was usually the younger brother or a cousin of the groom who assured the safety of the Groom. Today grooms have grown older with time however sarbala have become even younger with the tradition turning into only a tradition without any practical use with time. In Punjab, it is a common practice to have the mama's son (i.e. the maternal uncle's son) sit as sarbala.