Describe the position of women with regard to ownership of property in ancient times.

(i) Under patriliny sons could claim resources (including the throne in the case of kings) of their fathers when the latter died.

(ii) Historical sources refer that most of the ruling dynasties (C. sixth century BCE onwards) claimed to follow this system although there were variation in practice; sometimes there were no sons, in some situation brother succeeded one another, sometimes other kinsmen claimed the throne.

(iii) For men, the Manusmriti declares, there are seven means of acquiring wealth.

(iv)These are: Inheritance, finding, purchase, conquest, investment, work and acceptance of gifts from good people.

1014 Views

Define the term patriliny. Give one example.

How was Buddha’s presence shown through symbols? Give two examples.

Discuss how access to property sharpened social differences between men and women in ancient times.

What, according to the Dharmashastras, were the ideal occupations for the four varnas? Give one way in which the Brahmanas tried to enforce these norms.

Kinship, Caste And Class

Describe the position of women with regard to ownership of property in ancient times.