Theme-III

KINSHIP, CASTE AND CLASS

 Theme 3 - Kinship, Caste and Class
Early societies (C.600 BCE-600 CE
 The changes in political and economic
life between c.600 BCE and 600CE
influenced early Indian societies. This
chapter discusses issues in social history
including class, caste, kinship and
gender. It also introduces how textual
traditions have been used by historians to
reconstruct social history.
 Textual Traditions
 Historians used textual traditions to understand changes in
polity and economy.
 Some text laid down norms of social behavior.
 Others describe and occasionally comment on a wide
range of social situations and practices.
 We can catch a glimpse of some social actors from
inscriptions.
 Each text/inscription was written from the perspective of
some social categories.
 So we need to keep in mind who composed it and for
whom.
 We also need to consider the language of the historical
text, and ways in which it circulated
The central story of Mahabharata
The colossal epic Mahabharata depicts a wide range of
social categories and situations.
The Mahabharata, like any other epic, contains vivid
descriptions of battles, forests, palaces and settlements.
The central story of the Mahabharata is about two sets of
warring cousins.
It describes a feud over land and power.
These were the Kauravas and Pandavas who belonged to
a single ruling family of the Kurus-a lineage dominating
over one of the Janapadas.
The conflict ended in a battle in which the pandavas
emerge victorious. After that, patrilineal succession was
proclaimed.
 Sukthankar and the critical edition of the
Mahabharata
V.S Sukthanker was a Sanskrit scholar of India.
He undertook a project work of preparing a
critical edition of the Mahabharata and
appointed a team of various Sanskrit scholars.
The team collected Sanskrit manuscripts of the
text, written in various scripts, from different parts
of the country.
They compared the verses from each
manuscript.
Finally, they selected the verses that appeared
common to most versions
 Sukthankar and the critical
edition of the Mahabharata
 Sukthankar and the critical edition of the
Mahabharata
They published these verses in several volumes in
13,000 pages.
There were several common elements in the
Sanskrit versions of the story.
Enormous regional variations were also found.
The variations of Mahabharata reflect the
complex process that shaped social histories
through dialogues between dominant traditions
and resilient local ideas and practices
characterized by moments of conflict as well as
consensus.
 Structure of Family (Kinfolk)
Norms of family and kinship
All the families are not identical; they vary in
terms of numbers, relationship with each
other, and the kinds of activities that they
share.
Very often people belonging to the same
family share food and other resources, live,
work and perform rituals.
Families are generally a larger part of the
network of people known as the relatives or
kinfolk. Familial ties are based on blood and
regarded as “natural”.
 Structure of Family (Kinfolk)
Norms of family and kinship
They are defined in many ways such as in some
societies cousins are regarded as relatives and in
other societies they are not.
In the case of early societies, it is easy for the
historians to retrieve information about the families of
elite class.
On the other hand, it is very difficult to reconstruct the
familial relationship of ordinary people.
Another important factor is the attitude towards
family and kinship.
It is also investigated and analyzed by historians.
These factors are important as they give insight into
people’s thinking.
 The ideal of patriliny-Idea of kinship and
succession
Patriliny means tracing descent from father to son,
grandson and so on. (Matriliny is the term used
when descent is traced through the mother)
Under patriliny system sons have claims to their
father’s wealth when the latter died.
In case the king did not have a son he was
succeeded by one of his brothers.
Some times other kinsmen claimed the throne and
it was a very exceptional case, that women
exercised power (for e.g.Prabhavati Gupta.)
 Rules of Marriage
Dharma sutras recognized eight forms of marriage.
Out of these, four forms of marriage were
considered as good.
The remaining marriages were condemned
because they do not follow Brahmanic norms.
Women could not get any share in her parental
property.
Exogamy (marrying outside) was considered
desirable.
Kanyadana or the gift of a daughter in marriage
was an important religious duty of the father.
 Eight forms of marriage
Here are the first, fourth, fifth and sixth forms of marriage
from the Manusmriti: First: The gift of a daughter, after
dressing her in costly clothes and honouring her with
presents of jewels, to a man learned in the Veda whom
the father himself invites. Fourth: The gift of a daughter by
the father after he has addressed the couple with the
text, “May both of you perform your duties together”, and
has shown honour to the bridegroom. Fifth: When the
bridegroom receives a maiden, after having given as
much wealth as he can afford to the kinsmen and to the
bride herself, according to his own will. Sixth: The voluntary
union of a maiden and her lover … which springs from
desire …
 Types of marriages
Endogamy: Endogamy refers to marriage within
a unit (marriage inside ones own group) – this
could be a kin group, caste, or a group living in
the same locality.
Exogamy: Exogamy refers to the marriage
outside ones own group(family) or kin.
Polygamy: Polygamy or Polygyny is the
practice of a man having several wives.
Polyandry: Polyandry is the practice of a
woman having several husbands.
 Dharmasutras and Dharmashastras
These are codes of social behavior meant to be
followed by Brahmanas in particular and
society in general.
They are written in Sanskrit. With the emergence
of town people from near and far met to buy
and sell their produce and shared their ideas in
the urban social environments.
This might have led to the questioning of earlier
beliefs and practices.
It was to meet this challenge that Dharmasutras
and Dharmashastras were compiled.
 Features of Gotra
Gotra refers to the name given to a particular group of
people on the name of a Vedic seer as their fore father
so as to establish kinship between them.
The system of gotra had significance to the women.
Women were expected to take up the gotra of her
husband upon marriage and gave up their father’s
gotra.
Members of same gotra could not marry.
When we examine the names of the women married
to the Satavahana rulers, we will find that many of
them had names derived from their father’s gotras
such as Gotama and Vasistha
 Features of Gotra
They retained these names instead of adopting names
derived from their husband’s gotra as instructed by the
Brahmanical rules.
Some of the women married to Satavahana rulers
belonged to the same gotra.
As is obvious, this ran counter to the ideal of exogamy
recommended in the Brahmanical texts.
In fact, it exemplified an alternative practice, that of
endogamy or marriage within the kin group, which was
prevalent amongst several communities in south India.
Such marriages amongst kinfolk ensured a close-knit
community.
 Inscriptional evidence regarding the
inheritance of gotra among Satavahanas
Were mothers important?
Satavahana rulers were identified through
metronymics which suggest that mothers
were given importance.
But their succession to the throne was
generally patrilineal.
Several inscriptions of the Satavahana
rulers mention the name of their mothers
rather than their fathers. For e.g,
Gautamiputra Satakarni, son of Gautami.
 Caste-social differences within
and beyond the framework of
Caste refers to a caste
set of hierarchically
ordered social categories laid down in
Dharma sutras and Dharmashastras.
Brahmanas claimed that they were
placed themselves on the top and
shudras at the bottom.
The Brahmanas claimed that this order
was divinely ordained.
 The right occupation - as laid down in
Dharmasutras and Dharmashastras
The Dharma sutras and Dharmashastras described the
rules about the ideal occupations of the four categories
or varnas.
Brahamanas were supposed to study and teach the
Vedas, perform sacrifices and get sacrifices performed,
give and receive gifts.
Kshatriyas were to engage in warfare, protect people
and administer justice, study the Vedas, get sacrifices
performed and make gifts.
The Vaishyas were expected to give gifts, get sacrifices
performed and study Vedas in addition to engaging
agriculture, pastoralism and trade.
Strategies developed by the Brahmanas
to enforce the Varna system
The Brahmanas developed three strategies
to enforce the Varna system
Firstly, Brahamanas asserted that the varna
order was of divine origin
Secondly, Brahmanas advised the king to
ensure that the varna system was followed
within their kingdoms
Thirdly, Brahmanas attempted to persuade
the people that their status was determined
by birth.
 Indian Kings of Non-Kshatriya origin
 According to the Shastras, only Ksahtriyas were supposed to
be the kings.
 But it is observed that any person who is able to muster
support and resources and need not to depend on theory of
birth.
 For example, there are different opinions regarding the origin
of the Mauryas.
 Later Buddhist texts suggest that they were Kshatriyas while the
Brahmanical texts describe them as the rulers of ‘low’ origin.
 The immediate successors of Mauryas were Sungas and
Kanvas who were Brahmans.
 The Satavahana King Gautamiputra Satakarni claimed to be
Brahman and destroyer of Kshatriya’s pride.
 Indian Kings of Non-Kshatriya origin
 He also claimed to have ensured that there was no
intermarriage amongst members of the four varnas, but he
himself entered into marriage alliance with the kin of
Rudradaman, Saka ruler.
 From this example, we can assume that integration within
the framework caste was often a complicated process.
 The Satavahanas claimed to be Brahmanas, whereas
according to the Brahmansa, kings ought to have been
Kshatriyas.
 They claimed to uphold the fourfold Varna order, but
entered into marriage alliance with people of other castes.
 Besides, Brahmanical texts prescribed exogamy, but the
Satavahanas practiced endogamy.
 Mlechchas

The Shaka and Kushan rulers who

came from Central Asia were
regarded as barbarians or outsiders
and known as Mlechchas. Some
powerful Mlechchas were familiar
with Sanskrit traditions.
 Jatis; Information from Mandasor inscription
The social categories are referred to as Jati.
Like Varna, Jati was also based on birth.
The varnas were fixed at four but there were no
restriction on number of jatis.
In fact, Whenever Brahmanical authorities encountered
new groups that did not fit into the fourfold of the
Varna system they classified them as jatis.
For instance, people living in forests such as nishadas
were classified as jatis.
Jatis which shared a common occupation or profession
were sometimes organized into shrenis or guilds.
Jatis; Information from Mandasor inscription
The stone inscription found in Mandasor(Madhya
Pradesh) provides information about this social processes
and nature of guilds.
It records the history of a guild of silk weavers who
originally lived in Lata(Gujarat)and shifted to Mandasor
along with their kinfolks and Children.
The membership of the guild was based on shared craft
specialization, some members adopted different
occupations.
The inscription informs us that apart from the common
profession shared by the members they also collectively
decided to invest their wealth, earned through craft, and
constructed a splendid temple in honour of the sun god.
 Beyond the four Varnas

There were populations whose social

practices were not influenced
Brahmanical ideas such as Nishadas,
nomadic pastoralists etc.There was a
sharing of ideas and beliefs between
these people.
 Untouchables and duties prescribed for
them in Manusmriti and Shastra
The Brahmanas considered some social categories
as “untouchable”.
They were primarily connected with the
performance of rituals which they considered as
pure.
So they avoided taking food from ‘untouchables’.
Some activities were regarded as “polluting”.
These included handling corpses(dead bodies) and
dead animals. Those who performed such tasks were
known as chandalas
 Untouchables and duties prescribed for
them in Manusmriti and Shastra
They were placed at the very bottom of the social
hierarchy. Touching and seeing them was regarded
as “polluting “by the Brahmanas.
The Manusmriti laid down the duties of the
chandalas.
They had to live outside the village, use discarded
utensils, and wear clothes of the dead and
ornaments of iron.
They could not walk an out in villages and cities at
night. They had to dispose of the bodies of those
who had no relatives and serve as executioners.
 Observations made by Fa Xian and Xuan Zang

Fa Xian came to India in 5th century CE wrote

that the “untouchable sounded “clappers”
when they entered street so that the people
could avoid the sight.
Xuan Zang who came in 7th century CE
observed that executioners and scavengers
were forced to live outside the city.
There were instances of Chandalas who were
not accepting the life of degradation prescribed
in the Shastras.
 Beyond Birth: Resources and Status

The social positions of different sections

were often shaped by their access to
economic resources.
The criteria on which property is granted is
as follow
1.On the basis of Gender
2. On the basis of Varna
 1. Gendered access to property
 The access to resources sharpened the social
differences between men and women.
According to Manusmriti, the women were not
eligible to claim a share in the parental
property.
The parental property was divided amongst sons
after the death of parents with a special share
for the eldest.
However, the women could retain the gift they
received on the occasion of their marriage as
stridhana.
 1. Gendered access to property
This could be inherited by her children, without
the husband having any claim to it.
According to Manusmriti, women were not
supposed to hoard family property and their
own valuables without their husband’s
permission.
Both epigraphic and textual evidences
suggest that while upper class women may
have had access to resources, land, cattle
and money were generally controlled by men.
 2. Varna and access to property
According to Brahmanical texts, the only
occupation prescribed for shudras was servitude.
While a variety of occupations were assigned to
the first three varnas.
The wealthiest people would have been the
Brahmanas and Kshatriyas. Buddhism recognized
that division of society is prevalent in society, but
did not regard these as natural or inflexible.
They also rejected the idea of claim for higher
status on the basis of birth.
 An alternative social scenario: Sharing
wealth

The Tamil Sangam anthologies

illustrate economic, social
relationships, suggesting that while
there were differences between rich
and poor, those who controlled
resources were expected to share
them.
 Explaining Social Differences- A Social Contract
The myth found in Sutta Pitaka suggests:
o The institution of kingship was based on human choice,
with taxes as form of payment for services rendered by the
king.
o At the same time it reveals recognition of human agency
in creating and institutionalizing economic and social
relations.
o It also recognizes the fact that since human beings are
responsible for creation of the system, they could also
change it in future.
o The king was elected by the whole people
(mahasammata)
 Historians and the Mahabharata
The elements of consideration for historian while
analyzing texts are follows:
 1. Language of the text-whether it was ordinary
people’s language or the language of the priests and
elites
 2. Kind of text-whether it was a mantra or story.
 3. Author’s perspective in writing the text
 4. The audience to whom it was written
 5. Date of the composition or compilation of the text.
 6. The place of composition
 Historians and the Mahabharata
We have been considering the Sanskrit
language Mahabharata.
The Sanskrit used in the Mahabharata is simpler
than that of the Vedas or of the prashastis.
So it was probably better to be understood. But
who wrote the text?
The original story was composed by chariot-
bards known as sutas who accompanied the
Kshatriya warriors to the battlefield and
composed poems celebrating their victories and
other accomplishments.
 Historians and the Mahabharata
 These compositions were circulated orally. By
5th C BCE; the Brahmanas began committing
this to writing.
It is also possible that the upheaval occurring in
social values being replaced by new norms at
this time, were reflected in Mahabharata.
Another phase is 200 CE and 200 BCE when
worship of Vishnu was growing and Krishna was
being identified with Vishnu.
Between 200 and 400 CE didactic sections
resembling the Manusmriti were added.
 Historians and the Mahabharata
All these additions made the text, which
started with less than 10,000 verses to
100,000 verses. This work is traditionally
attributed to sage Veda Vyasa.
The text presented is classified into two
sections: One that contains stories,
designated as the ‘narrative’
Other section, containing prescriptions
about social norms, known as ‘didactic’.
This section includes stories and narratives
containing social messages.
 Excavation of Hastinapura
Excavations at Hastinapura (Meerut, U.P)
were conducted in 1951-52 by B.B Lal of
Archaeological Survey of India.
Houses of this period were built of mud
brick as well as burnt bricks.
Soakage jars and brick drains were used
for draining out refuse water.
Terracotta ring wells have been used both
as wells and drainage pits.
 Polyandry marriage in Mahabharata

Draupati’s marriage with Pandavas was

an example of polyandry marriage.
The polyandry marriage in Mahabharata
suggests different things.
It may be because of the shortage of
women due to incessant wars or due to
situational crisis and also that narratives
sometimes does not reflect the social
realities.
 Mahabharata: A Dynamic Text
Mahabharata was written in a variety of
languages.
Those people who wrote versions of the epic
added stories originated or circulated in their
localities.
The central story of the epic was often retold in
many ways. Episodes were depicted in sculpture
and painting.
They also provided themes for a wide range of
performing arts-plays, dance and other kinds of
narrations.
 Keywords
Kula: Sanskrit texts use the term kula to
designate families
Kin: A group of people having a common
lineage.
Patriliny: Patriliny is referred to the tracing
of lineage from the paternal side
Matriliny: Matriliny is referred to the tracing
of lineage from the maternal side.
 Keywords
 Metronymics: The system of deriving names from mother is
known as Metronymics. The Satavahana rulers were
identified through metronymics. The Brihadaranyaka
Upanishads, one of the earliest Upanishads contains a list of
successive generations of teachers and students, many of
whom were designated by metronymics.
 Purusha sukta: Purusha sukta of Rigveda mentions about the
division of society in to four varnas.The four varnas were said
to have emanated from the body of Purusha,the primeval
man. Brahmanas from the mouth ,Kshatriyas from the
arms,Vaishyas from the thighs and the Shudras from the feet.
 Vanik: A Sanskrit term used to designate merchants. In
Mrichchakatika written by Sudraka, hero Charudatta was
described as both Brahmana and a merchant.