Final answer:
The most surprising aspect of Rakesh's marriage was the intense surprise and bewilderment felt, despite a long period of expectancy, highlighting the paradox in societal norms of matrimonial arrangements and the role of women in historical contexts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The aspect of Rakesh's marriage that was most surprising lies in the contrast between the expectations and the real emotions experienced at the moment of his marriage. Despite a long period of expectancy and preparation, spanning fourteen years, the actual event elicited a sense of surprise and bewilderment, as if the thought of marriage had never occurred. This raises questions about the societal norms and practices of historical matrimonial arrangements, particularly in relation to the role of women, which often involved being married at a young age and the absolute dedication to their husbands, to the extent of participating in extreme rituals like sati if widowed. Considering the cultural setting where a woman's life was inextricably linked to her husband, the shock of marriage can seem paradoxical, but also indicative of the complex emotions and potentially the lack of agency women had in such life-changing decisions.