Kinship, Caste and Class (Early Societies) (c. 600 BCE-600 CE) — Important Questions

Study and teach the Vedas, Perform sacrifices, Give and receive gifts

According to the Dharmasutras, Brahmanas were supposed to study and teach the Vedas, perform sacrifices and get sacrifices performed, and give and receive gifts. Warfare was assigned to Kshatriyas, while trade was for Vaishyas.

Women adopted their husband's gotra after marriage, Members of the same gotra could not marry, Gotra names were derived from Vedic seers

The gotra system had two main rules: women were expected to give up their father's gotra and adopt their husband's gotra after marriage, and members of the same gotra could not marry. Each gotra was named after a Vedic seer.

Metronymics (mother's name)

Satavahana rulers were identified through metronymics - names derived from their mothers. Examples include Gotami-puta (son of Gotami) and Vasathi-puta (son of Vasathi), showing the importance of mothers in their naming system.

A woman's personal wealth

Stridhana literally means 'a woman's wealth' and referred to gifts that women received on the occasion of their marriage. This could be inherited by their children without the husband having any claim on it.