It is generally assumed that an Indian marriage is EITHER an arranged marriage OR a love marriage. However, it isn't so simple. Of course, every marriage is different, and common practices will be different in villages vs. cities, and family by family. There are over a billion people in India, so there is bound to be a lot of diversity in tradition and experience.
From what I've seen, many of the more successful Indian arranged marriages, are more of an introduction. Families "short-list" a group of eligible matches, and then the bride and groom have a courtship where they get to know each other. So, the reality of many arranged marriages, especially in the cities, allows for a lot more participation and veto-powers from the couple than I originally believed.
It’s like Indian Bachelor / Bachelorette, without any sex. For example, I have a friend who turned down 5 guys her parents presented, before meeting someone she really liked. She selected someone based on a specific set of criteria that was important to her, and is now very happily married.
I also know another who broke off an engagement because he could feel that “the woman just wasn't into him.” The families agreed that they were a good match, but he felt it wouldn't work, so he ended the courtship to find someone better suited and more friendly towards him. Again, he is now happily married. So, in these successful “arranged” marriages, the families arranged a set of suitable partners, and then the couple decided if they could love and live with the other party.
Arranged marriages are more likely to be successful when Bride and Groom:
Know what they are looking forDon’t compromiseHonestly portray themselvesBreak off the courtship if it isn't working
Arranged marriages are less likely to be successful when:
Groom marries only for money: expects high dowry and continues to ask for more moneyBride or Groom is in love with someone else, but was forced to marryIn-laws cause problems problems for the couple in a joint family
In India, marriage is an enormous family affair. Families make sure that the other family matches their values, education level, family status, and caste. Families are marrying families. And because of this, divorce is much more complicated, a much bigger deal, and therefore much less likely to occur