CUET UG History Booster Test 3 - Kinship and Family Systems -

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CUET UG History Booster Test 3 - Kinship and Family Systems

⏱️ 30 Minutes

❓ 20 Questions

📌 Answers are locked once submitted — results and explanations appear at the end.

CUET UG History Booster Test 3 - Kinship and Family Systems

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QUESTION 1 OF 20

Analytically, how did the emergence of early urban contexts challenge traditional family and social norms?

Answer Review

1 Analytically, how did the emergence of early urban contexts challenge traditional family and social norms?

A Urban centers instantly destroyed all patrilineal lineages.

B It forced people to completely abandon agriculture for trade.

C Urban milieus facilitated the sharing of ideas, leading to the questioning of earlier familial and social beliefs, prompting the compilation of Dharmasutras.

D It resulted in a complete shift from exogamy to polyandry across the subcontinent.

💡 Short Explanation

Urbanization increased social interaction. Traditional norms faced new challenges. Dharmasutras attempted to regulate society.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The growth of towns and cities brought together diverse groups, occupations, and ideas. This interaction encouraged questioning of existing social and familial norms. Brahmanical thinkers responded by compiling Dharmasutras and Dharmashastras to define ideal social conduct. Therefore Option C correctly explains the relationship between urbanization and changing social norms.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → Urbanization did not instantly destroy patrilineal systems.
Option B → Agriculture remained important despite urban growth.
Option D → No evidence suggests a complete shift to polyandry across India.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Connect urbanization with social change and textual responses.

Final Logic:

Urban interaction encouraged debate, leading to normative regulations.

🧠 Memory Trick

Urban Growth → New Ideas → Dharmasutras

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kinship, Caste and Class – Topic: Urbanization and Social Norms

2 Assertion (A): According to the Manusmriti, women had equal claims to the family's shared resources and land.
Reason (R): Social differences between men and women were sharpened because of differences in access to resources.

A Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

B Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.

C A is true, but R is false.

D A is false, but R is true.

💡 Short Explanation

Women had limited property rights. Resource access shaped gender inequality. Manusmriti did not support equal inheritance.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The Manusmriti generally denied women equal claims over family property and land. At the same time, historians note that unequal access to resources contributed significantly to gender differences in society. Therefore the Assertion is false and the Reason is true, making Option D correct.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → Assertion is incorrect because equal property rights were not recognized.
Option B → Both statements are not true.
Option C → The Reason is historically valid.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Elimination

Application:

Check each statement independently before evaluating the relationship.

Final Logic:

Property inequality sharpened gender differences.

🧠 Memory Trick

Less Property = Less Power

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kinship, Caste and Class – Topic: Gender and Property

3 Which statement analytically misrepresents kinfolk relations as dictated by Brahmanical texts?

A Brahmanical texts universally succeeded in erasing regional diversities in kinship relations.

B Prescriptions in the Dharmasutras were meant to be followed by Brahmanas in particular and society in general.

C Real social relations regarding kin networks were likely more complicated than textual ideals.

D Given the regional diversity, the influence of Brahmanas over kinship norms was not all-pervasive.

💡 Short Explanation

Regional diversity persisted. Normative texts were not universally followed. Social reality was more complex.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Historians emphasize that Brahmanical prescriptions represented ideals rather than universally accepted realities. Regional variations in kinship remained significant across India. Therefore Option A incorrectly assumes complete success in eliminating diversity. Options B, C, and D are consistent with historical interpretations.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option B → Correctly reflects the intended audience of Dharmasutras.
Option C → Historians routinely distinguish ideals from practice.
Option D → Regional diversity limited Brahmanical influence.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Extreme Word Filter

Application:

Identify absolute words such as "universally succeeded."

Final Logic:

Historical diversity makes universal success unlikely.

🧠 Memory Trick

Norms ≠ Universal Practice

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kinship, Caste and Class – Topic: Kinship Diversity

4 Match the following historical contexts with their corresponding kinship practices or concepts.

List I	List II
1. Satavahana women	a. Patrilineal succession proclamation
2. Mahabharata central story	b. Retained father's gotra
3. Brahmanical ideal for brides	c. Exogamy
4. Marrying outside kin	d. Giving up father's gotra on marriage

A 1-a, 2-b, 3-c, 4-d

B 1-b, 2-a, 3-d, 4-c

C 1-c, 2-d, 3-a, 4-b

D 1-d, 2-c, 3-b, 4-a

💡 Short Explanation

Satavahana women retained gotras. Mahabharata centers on succession. Exogamy means marriage outside kin.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Satavahana queens often retained their father's gotra (b). The Mahabharata centers on patrilineal succession (a). Brahmanical ideals expected brides to adopt their husband's gotra (d). Marrying outside kin is exogamy (c). Hence Option B correctly matches all items.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → Incorrectly exchanges succession and gotra practices.
Option C → Misidentifies exogamy and Satavahana practices.
Option D → Reverses multiple historical associations.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Option Grouping

Application:

Match each concept with its standard NCERT description.

Final Logic:

Only Option B correctly pairs all four concepts.

🧠 Memory Trick

Satavahana = Father's Gotra

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kinship, Caste and Class – Topic: Gotra and Patriliny

5 The __________ inscriptions have allowed historians to trace complex familial ties, including marriages, of elite families who ruled parts of western India.

A Mauryan

B Gupta

C Satavahana

D Shunga

💡 Short Explanation

Satavahana inscriptions are genealogically rich. They mention queens and gotras. Historians reconstruct family relations from them.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Satavahana inscriptions provide valuable evidence regarding family structures, marriages, and kinship ties. These inscriptions help historians reconstruct relationships among ruling elites of western India. Therefore Option C is correct. The other dynasties do not provide the same specific evidence discussed in NCERT.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → Mauryan inscriptions focus mainly on governance.
Option B → Gupta records are important but not the NCERT example here.
Option D → Shunga inscriptions do not provide the discussed evidence.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Memory Recall

Application:

Recall the dynasty highlighted in the chapter.

Final Logic:

Satavahana inscriptions are key sources for kinship history.

🧠 Memory Trick

Satavahana = Family Tree

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kinship, Caste and Class – Topic: Satavahana Inscriptions

6 Assertion (A): Historical texts written by Brahmanas provide a completely accurate reflection of the everyday familial lives of ordinary forest dwellers.
Reason (R): The Dharmashastras often presented a normative, idealized view of society rather than the diverse realities of ordinary people.

A Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

B Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.

C A is true, but R is false.

D A is false, but R is true.

💡 Short Explanation

Brahmanical texts were normative. Ordinary lives often differed from ideals. Forest communities followed varied practices.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The Assertion is false because Brahmanical texts cannot be treated as exact descriptions of everyday life. The Reason is true because Dharmashastras prescribed ideal behavior rather than documenting all social realities. Thus Option D correctly reflects the relationship between the two statements.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → Assertion is factually incorrect.
Option B → Both statements are not true.
Option C → The Reason accurately describes Dharmashastras.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Elimination

Application:

Evaluate the truth of each statement independently.

Final Logic:

Normative texts are not exact mirrors of social reality.

🧠 Memory Trick

Dharmashastra = Ideal, Not Reality

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kinship, Caste and Class – Topic: Normative Texts and Society

7 How did the central story of the Mahabharata analytically impact the concept of patriliny?

A It reinforced the idea that patrilineal descent was valuable, especially for ruling lineages.

B It proved that matriliny was the superior system for preventing war.

C It demonstrated that patriliny inevitably leads to the destruction of the state.

D It abolished the system of patriliny in favor of a democratic republic.

💡 Short Explanation

The epic revolves around inheritance. Succession disputes drive the narrative. Patriliny remained highly valued.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The Mahabharata centers on a conflict over patrimony and succession. This demonstrates the importance attached to patrilineal inheritance, especially among ruling families. The story reflects anxieties regarding lineage continuity rather than rejecting patriliny. Therefore Option A is correct.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option B → The epic does not promote matriliny.
Option C → Patriliny itself is not portrayed as inherently destructive.
Option D → No democratic replacement occurs in the narrative.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Connect the central conflict with inheritance concerns.

Final Logic:

The epic highlights the significance of patrilineal succession.

🧠 Memory Trick

Mahabharata = Patrimony

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kinship, Caste and Class – Topic: Patriliny and Succession

8 Under exceptional circumstances involving wealth, how did women's property rights manifest in early normative texts?

A They could inherit the entire paternal estate if there were no sons.

B Women could retain bridal gifts as stridhana, but were warned against hoarding family property without permission.

C They were allowed to purchase land but not accept gifts.

D Women had full control over the royal treasury in the absence of a king.

💡 Short Explanation

Stridhana was women's wealth. Bridal gifts remained with women. Family property remained restricted.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Normative texts recognized stridhana as wealth belonging to women, often received as gifts during marriage. However, women were generally discouraged from accumulating or controlling family property independently. Thus Option B accurately reflects the limited but important property rights available to women.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → Equal inheritance of paternal estates was not generally permitted.
Option C → Acceptance of gifts formed a key component of stridhana.
Option D → No such general provision existed.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Focus on NCERT's discussion of stridhana.

Final Logic:

Women's recognized wealth mainly took the form of stridhana.

🧠 Memory Trick

Stridhana = Bridal Gifts

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kinship, Caste and Class – Topic: Women's Property Rights

📄 Passage

"This made Duryodhana, the eldest of the Kauravas, jealous. He approached his father and said, 'You yourself did not receive the throne, although it fell to you, because of your defect. If the Pandava receives the patrimony from Pandu, his son will surely inherit it in turn, and so will his son, and his. We ourselves with our sons shall be excluded from the royal succession and become of slight regard in the eyes of the world, lord of the earth!'"

What analytical concept is Duryodhana primarily defending in this statement?

A The rights of the citizens to choose their leader.

B The importance of exogamous marriages.

C The right of women to inherit the throne.

D The strict continuity of patrilineal succession within his direct lineage.

💡 Short Explanation

Duryodhana worries about inheritance. Succession determines political power. Patrilineal continuity is central.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Duryodhana's argument focuses on preserving royal succession within his own lineage. He fears exclusion from the inheritance chain if the Pandavas inherit the throne. This concern directly reflects the importance of patrilineal succession. Therefore Option D is correct.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → Citizen choice is absent from the passage.
Option B → Marriage rules are not discussed.
Option C → Female succession is not the issue raised.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Identify the central concern expressed in the quoted speech.

Final Logic:

The passage revolves around lineage-based inheritance.

🧠 Memory Trick

Duryodhana = Succession Anxiety

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kinship, Caste and Class – Topic: Patriliny in Mahabharata

📄 Passage

Which underlying conflict does this passage best illustrate in early political structures?

A The tension between primogeniture (right of the eldest line) and actual physical/moral capability in inheritance.

B The struggle between democratic institutions and monarchy.

C The religious debate over performing sacrifices.

D The economic disparity between the rich and the poor classes.

💡 Short Explanation

Succession disputes shaped politics. Eligibility and capability could conflict. The passage reflects inheritance tensions.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The passage highlights competing claims to succession. Dhritarashtra's blindness affected inheritance despite seniority, creating tensions between birth order and practical suitability. This conflict underlies the struggle between Kauravas and Pandavas. Therefore Option A best captures the issue.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option B → Democracy is not discussed.
Option C → Ritual debates are absent from the passage.
Option D → The conflict concerns succession, not class inequality.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Analyze the inheritance issue highlighted in the passage.

Final Logic:

The passage centers on succession rights versus eligibility.

🧠 Memory Trick

Blind King = Succession Problem

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kinship, Caste and Class – Topic: Succession and Patrimony

11 Assertion (A): The ideal of patriliny existed long before the composition of the Mahabharata.
Reason (R): In exceptional succession circumstances, brother succeeded brother or women like Prabhavati Gupta exercised power.

A Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

B Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.

C A is true, but R is false.

D A is false, but R is true.

💡 Short Explanation

Patriliny predates the Mahabharata. Exceptions to succession existed. Exceptions do not explain the origin of patriliny.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The Rigveda already reflects the importance of sons and patrilineal inheritance, showing that patriliny existed before the Mahabharata. The Reason is also true because exceptional cases such as brother-to-brother succession and Prabhavati Gupta's authority occurred. However, these exceptions do not explain the earlier existence of patriliny. Therefore Option B is correct.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → The Reason is not the cause of the Assertion.
Option C → The Reason is historically valid.
Option D → The Assertion is clearly supported by Vedic evidence.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Elimination

Application:

Check truthfulness first, then test whether the Reason explains the Assertion.

Final Logic:

Both statements are true, but they discuss different aspects of succession.

🧠 Memory Trick

Patriliny Old, Exceptions Later

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kinship, Caste and Class – Topic: Patriliny and Succession Variations

12 Why is Prabhavati Gupta's case of exercising power considered 'very exceptional' in the context of Chapter 3?

A Because she was not of royal blood.

B Because she defeated the Satavahanas in battle.

C Because normative political and familial power was strictly patrilineal, generally excluding women from succession.

D Because she ruled over an area that strictly followed matriliny.

💡 Short Explanation

Patriliny dominated succession systems. Women rarely exercised sovereign authority. Prabhavati Gupta represents an exception.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Prabhavati Gupta exercised political authority despite prevailing patrilineal norms. Since succession and political power usually passed through male lines, female rulers were uncommon. Her case stands out precisely because it departed from the dominant norm. Therefore Option C is correct.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → She belonged to a prominent royal family.
Option B → Her significance is not based on military conquest.
Option D → Her rule was not linked to a matrilineal system.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Relate Prabhavati Gupta's role to the broader patrilineal framework.

Final Logic:

Her authority was exceptional because women rarely inherited power.

🧠 Memory Trick

Prabhavati = Rare Female Ruler

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kinship, Caste and Class – Topic: Women and Political Power

13 Arrange the following historical developments related to family and social norms in chronological order:
1. Rigveda hymns chanting for fine sons.
2. Compilation of the Manusmriti.
3. The core period of the Mahabharata's central feud.
4. The Critical Edition of the Mahabharata project begins.

A 1, 2, 3, 4

B 2, 1, 4, 3

C 1, 3, 2, 4

D 4, 3, 2, 1

💡 Short Explanation

Rigveda is the earliest source. Mahabharata traditions developed later. Manusmriti and modern scholarship followed.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The Rigveda (c. 1500–1000 BCE) predates the Mahabharata traditions. The Manusmriti was compiled later, around the early centuries CE. The Critical Edition project began in the twentieth century. Thus the correct chronological sequence is 1 → 3→ 2 → 4, making Option C correct.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → Places Mahabharata before the Rigveda.
Option B → Manusmriti came after the Mahabharata tradition.
Option D → Reverses the historical sequence entirely.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Elimination

Application:

Place sources in their broad historical periods.

Final Logic:

Vedic → Epic → Dharmashastra → Modern Scholarship.

🧠 Memory Trick

Veda → Epic → Manu → Critical Edition

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kinship, Caste and Class – Topic: Chronology of Sources

14 Assertion (A): Producing "fine sons" was considered a religious and social necessity in early patrilineal societies.
Reason (R): The Mahabharata runs into over 100,000 verses in its present form.

A Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

B Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.

C A is true, but R is false.

D A is false, but R is true.

💡 Short Explanation

Sons ensured continuity of lineage. Patriliny emphasized male heirs. Epic length is unrelated to this concept.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The Assertion is true because early patrilineal societies valued sons for inheritance, lineage continuity, and ritual obligations. The Reason is also true since the Mahabharata contains over 100,000 verses. However, the size of the epic does not explain the importance of sons. Therefore Option B is correct.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → The Reason does not explain the Assertion.
Option C → The Reason is factually correct.
Option D → The Assertion is historically valid.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Elimination

Application:

Separate factual accuracy from explanatory relevance.

Final Logic:

Both statements are true but unrelated.

🧠 Memory Trick

Fine Sons ≠ Epic Length

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kinship, Caste and Class – Topic: Patriliny and Sons

15 The Dharmasutras and Dharmashastras recognized eight forms of marriage, condemning the last four. What does this analytically indicate?

A All eight forms were invented by the Brahmanas to oppress other classes.

B Society was completely homogeneous and followed a single marriage law.

C It reflects a complex society where Brahmanas acknowledged, even if condemning, practices followed by non-Brahmanical groups.

D It proves that marriages were entirely unregulated before 200 CE.

💡 Short Explanation

Multiple marriage forms existed. Society was socially diverse. Brahmanas recognized practices beyond their ideals.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The recognition of eight marriage forms shows that Brahmanical authors were aware of diverse social customs. Although they approved only some forms, they still recorded others practiced by different communities. This indicates a complex society rather than uniformity. Therefore Option C is correct.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → The forms were recorded, not invented for oppression.
Option B → Multiple forms prove social diversity.
Option D → Marriage customs existed and were regulated before 200 CE.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Interpret the significance of acknowledging multiple marriage forms.

Final Logic:

Recognition of diversity reflects a complex society.

🧠 Memory Trick

8 Forms = Social Diversity

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kinship, Caste and Class – Topic: Forms of Marriage

16 According to Brahmanical rules on Gotra, brides were expected to give up their ________ gotra and adopt that of their ________ upon marriage, symbolizing their shift in familial allegiance.

A mother's, brother's

B husband's, father's

C priest's, husband's

D father's, husband's

💡 Short Explanation

Gotra marked lineage identity. Marriage involved changing affiliation. Brides adopted the husband's gotra.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Brahmanical rules required women to leave their natal lineage identity after marriage and adopt their husband's gotra. This symbolized incorporation into the husband's family and reinforced patrilineal ideals. Hence Option D is correct.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → Mother's and brother's gotras were not the prescribed transition.
Option B → The sequence is reversed.
Option C → Priests played no role in gotra transfer.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Memory Recall

Application:

Recall the standard gotra rule discussed in NCERT.

Final Logic:

Women shifted from father's gotra to husband's gotra.

🧠 Memory Trick

Father → Husband

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kinship, Caste and Class – Topic: Gotra Rules

17 Match the following terms analytically with their socio-cultural outcomes.

List I	List II
1. Endogamy	a. Builds alliances with families outside the kin group
2. Exogamy	b. Ensures a close-knit community among kinfolk
3. Kanyadana	c. Provides a form of wealth retention for women
4. Stridhana	d. Fulfils a religious duty of the father

A 1-a, 2-b, 3-c, 4-d

B 1-b, 2-a, 3-d, 4-c

C 1-c, 2-d, 3-a, 4-b

D 1-d, 2-c, 3-b, 4-a

💡 Short Explanation

Endogamy strengthens kin groups. Exogamy creates wider alliances. Kanyadana and Stridhana had distinct functions.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Endogamy preserves close kinship ties (b), exogamy creates alliances beyond the kin group (a), kanyadana fulfills a father's religious duty (d), and stridhana provides wealth to women (c). Therefore Option B correctly matches all terms and outcomes.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → Reverses endogamy and exogamy.
Option C → Misplaces kanyadana and stridhana.
Option D → Incorrectly assigns all four concepts.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Option Grouping

Application:

Match each term with its standard definition.

Final Logic:

Only Option B aligns all four correctly.

🧠 Memory Trick

Endo-Inside, Exo-Outside

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kinship, Caste and Class – Topic: Marriage and Property Concepts

18 Which statement analytically misinterprets the Brahmanical rules of exogamy and gotra in practice?

A The rules of gotra were meant to classify people, especially Brahmanas.

B The Satavahana rulers strictly followed the exogamous rules laid down by the Brahmanas.

C Marriages amongst kinfolk ensured a close-knit community in parts of south India.

D Some Satavahana women retained their father's gotra instead of adopting their husband's.

💡 Short Explanation

Practice often differed from ideals. Satavahana evidence shows deviations. Gotra rules were not uniformly followed.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Satavahana inscriptions reveal that some queens retained their father's gotra and marriages among relatives occurred. This indicates that Brahmanical exogamous ideals were not strictly followed. Therefore Option B misrepresents historical reality and is the correct answer.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → Gotra classification was an important Brahmanical principle.
Option C → Kin marriages helped maintain close-knit communities in some regions.
Option D → Inscriptions provide evidence for this practice.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Odd One Out

Application:

Identify the statement that conflicts with inscriptional evidence.

Final Logic:

Satavahana practice diverged from strict Brahmanical prescriptions.

🧠 Memory Trick

Satavahana ≠ Strict Exogamy

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kinship, Caste and Class – Topic: Gotra and Marriage Practices

19 The presence of metronymics among the Satavahanas, despite the rulers being __________, highlights complexities in gender and kinship norms.

A strictly monogamous

B exclusively exogamous

C polygynous

D polyandrous

💡 Short Explanation

Satavahana rulers had multiple wives. Maternal names still appeared prominently. Gender norms were therefore complex.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Satavahana rulers were generally polygynous, meaning they had multiple wives. Yet royal names often included references to mothers, such as Gotami-puta. This combination highlights the complexity of kinship and gender relations. Therefore Option C is correct.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → Satavahana rulers were not strictly monogamous.
Option B → Exogamy is unrelated to metronymics.
Option D → Polyandry did not characterize Satavahana rulers.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Memory Recall

Application:

Recall NCERT's discussion of Satavahana marriage practices.

Final Logic:

Metronymics coexisted with polygynous royal households.

🧠 Memory Trick

Gotami-puta + Many Wives

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kinship, Caste and Class – Topic: Satavahana Metronymics

20 Why do historians suggest polyandry was featured in the Mahabharata despite it not being the most prevalent form of marriage in early India?

A The authors wanted to mandate polyandry for all varnas.

B It was a completely fictional concept with no basis in reality.

C The Brahmanas considered it the purest form of marriage.

D It might have been prevalent among ruling elites at a specific time, or tied to a shortage of women during crises, reflecting regional or situational realities.

💡 Short Explanation

Draupadi's marriage is unusual. Historians explore social explanations. Regional and situational practices may explain it.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Historians do not view Draupadi's polyandrous marriage as random fiction. They suggest it may reflect specific regional traditions, elite practices, or circumstances such as demographic imbalances. This interpretation helps explain why the episode was preserved despite polyandry being uncommon. Therefore Option D is correct.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → The epic does not prescribe polyandry for all.
Option B → Historians consider possible real-world influences.
Option C → Brahmanical texts did not regard polyandry as the ideal form.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Interpret the episode using historical rather than literal reasoning.

Final Logic:

Polyandry likely reflects specific social realities rather than universal practice.

🧠 Memory Trick

Draupadi = Regional Exception

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kinship, Caste and Class – Topic: Polyandry in the Mahabharata

CUET UG History Booster Test 3 - Kinship and Family Systems

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