The present cross-sectional study was undertaken during August-September 2004 in an urban slum area of Pune to find out prevalence & characteristics of physical wife abuse/wife beating & to ascertain women's views & behavior towards it in a social context. The prevalence of physical wife abuse/wife beating was reported to be 61.5%. The most commonly reported husband's behavior included slapping (98.8%) followed by pushing (39.8%) & kicking wives (33.7%). 17.8% women justified physical abuse by husband. The most commonly reported behavior of women included crying (85.2%) & silently bearing the physical abuse (59%).