CUET UG History Booster Test 3 - Marriage Rules and Gotra System -

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CUET UG History Booster Test 3 - Marriage Rules and Gotra System

⏱️ 30 Minutes

❓ 20 Questions

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

CUET UG History Booster Test 3 - Marriage Rules and Gotra System

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QUESTION 1 OF 20

In the context of early patrilineal societies, why did the concept of kanyadana emerge as an important religious duty for fathers?

Answer Review

1 In the context of early patrilineal societies, why did the concept of kanyadana emerge as an important religious duty for fathers?

A Because daughters were needed to inherit the paternal estate.

B Because daughters had no claim to household resources and marrying them outside the kin group carefully regulated their status.

C Because it guaranteed the father a place in heaven regardless of his caste.

D Because it was a mechanism to acquire wealth through bride-price.

💡 Short Explanation

Patriliny emphasized sons and inheritance. Daughters generally lacked property rights. Kanyadana regulated marriage and lineage ties.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

In patrilineal societies, daughters usually did not inherit major family resources. Marriage outside the kin group transferred them into another lineage. Kanyadana became a significant religious duty because it symbolized the proper transfer of a daughter according to Brahmanical norms. Hence Option B is correct. Other options do not reflect NCERT explanations.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → Daughters generally did not inherit the paternal estate under patrilineal norms.
Option C → Kanyadana was valued religiously but did not automatically guarantee salvation.
Option D → Kanyadana refers to gifting the daughter, not acquiring wealth through bride-price.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Connect kanyadana with patriliny, inheritance, and marriage regulations.

Final Logic:

Kanyadana reinforced the transfer of daughters outside the natal lineage.

🧠 Memory Trick

Kanyadana = Daughter Given Away

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

2 Which of the following best explains why the lives of young girls in elite families were strictly regulated?

A To prevent them from joining Buddhist monastic orders.

B To ensure they received an equal share of the father's property.

C To guarantee their marriage outside the kin unit at the appropriate time and to the right person, preserving family status.

D To restrict them from participating in economic activities.

💡 Short Explanation

Marriage alliances affected family prestige. Elite families regulated daughters closely. Exogamous marriages preserved social status.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Elite families carefully regulated daughters because marriage alliances were crucial for maintaining lineage status and social prestige. Ensuring marriage outside the kin group and to a suitable partner supported Brahmanical ideals of kinship. Therefore Option C best explains this regulation.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → Monastic entry was not the primary concern discussed in NCERT.
Option B → Equal inheritance was generally not available.
Option D → Economic participation was not the main reason for regulation.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Link regulation of daughters with marriage and lineage concerns.

Final Logic:

Marriage alliances were central to elite family strategies.

🧠 Memory Trick

Elite Daughter = Alliance Keeper

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

3 How did the urban environment structurally challenge the traditional social frameworks, prompting Brahmanas to compile the Dharmasutras?

A The mingling of people from diverse backgrounds in towns facilitated the exchange of goods and ideas, leading to the questioning of orthodox beliefs.

B Urban kings actively banned Brahmanical rituals.

C The rise of pastoralism in urban centers disrupted agricultural taxes.

D Sutas (bards) took over the political administration of the new towns.

💡 Short Explanation

Urbanization increased interaction. New ideas challenged traditions. Dharmasutras responded with social prescriptions.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The emergence of towns brought together merchants, artisans, religious thinkers, and migrants. This environment encouraged the exchange of ideas and questioning of established norms. Brahmanical scholars responded by composing Dharmasutras to define ideal social conduct. Hence Option A is correct.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option B → No widespread ban on Brahmanical rituals occurred.
Option C → Pastoralism was not the primary challenge discussed.
Option D → Sutas were storytellers and bards, not urban administrators.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Relate urban growth to intellectual and social change.

Final Logic:

Interaction and debate in towns encouraged codification of norms.

🧠 Memory Trick

Towns → Ideas → Dharmasutras

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

4 Evaluate the following statements regarding the societal shifts from c. 500 BCE:
1. The emergence of towns resulted in isolated social groups with no interaction.
2. To counter the complexities of new social interactions, Brahmanas compiled normative texts to dictate social behaviour.
3. The Dharmashastras claimed to have universal validity across all regions.

A 1 and 2 only

B 1 and 3 only

C 1, 2, and 3

D 2 and 3 only

💡 Short Explanation

Towns increased interaction. Dharmashastras prescribed norms. Brahmanical texts claimed universal authority.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect because towns encouraged interaction rather than isolation. Statement 2 is correct as Brahmanas compiled normative texts to address changing social realities. Statement 3 is also correct because these texts claimed broad validity. Therefore Option D is correct.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → Includes incorrect Statement 1.
Option B → Statement 1 is false.
Option C → Not all statements are correct.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Elimination

Application:

Evaluate each statement individually.

Final Logic:

Only Statements 2 and 3 are historically accurate.

🧠 Memory Trick

Towns Unite, Not Isolate

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

5 Arrange the following historical phases related to societal norms and texts in chronological order:
1. Period when the worship of Vishnu was growing, leading to didactic additions to the Mahabharata.
2. Compilation of the earliest Dharmasutras.
3. Establishment of the practice of classifying people in terms of gotras.

A 3, 2, 1

B 1, 2, 3

C 2, 3, 1

D 3, 1, 2

💡 Short Explanation

Gotra classification emerged earliest. Dharmasutras came later. Didactic additions followed growing Vaishnavism.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Gotra classification developed around c. 1000 BCE. The earliest Dharmasutras were compiled later between c. 500 BCE and 200 BCE. Didactic additions associated with expanding Vishnu worship were incorporated into the Mahabharata subsequently. Therefore the correct order is 3 → 2 → 1.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option B → Reverses the chronology.
Option C → Places Dharmasutras before gotra classification.
Option D → Misplaces the Vishnu-related additions.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Elimination

Application:

Place developments according to broad historical periods.

Final Logic:

Gotra → Dharmasutras → Later Epic Additions.

🧠 Memory Trick

Gotra First, Manu Next, Vishnu Later

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

6 Match the following concepts regarding the imposition of Brahmanical authority:

List I	List II
1. Dharmasutras	a. Strategy asserting varna order emanated from the primeval man
2. Divine origin	b. Advised to ensure these norms were followed within kingdoms
3. Universal validity	c. Claim made by Brahmana authors about their prescribed rules
4. Kings' duty	d. Sanskrit texts compiling codes of social behaviour

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

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

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

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

💡 Short Explanation

Dharmasutras codified norms. Divine origin justified hierarchy. Kings were expected to enforce rules.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Dharmasutras were Sanskrit texts prescribing social conduct (d). Divine origin referred to the Purusha Sukta explanation of varna (a). Universal validity was claimed by Brahmanical authors (c). Kings were advised to enforce these norms (b). Thus, Option B is correct.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → Incorrectly swaps key concepts.
Option C → Misassigns Dharmasutras and kings' duties.
Option D → Contains multiple mismatches.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Option Grouping

Application:

Match each concept with its specific NCERT definition.

Final Logic:

Only Option B provides all correct pairings.

🧠 Memory Trick

Dharmasutra–Code, King–Enforce

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Kinship, Caste and Class – Topic: Enforcement of Brahmanical Norms

7 The Dharmashastras recognised eight forms of marriage but classified only the first four as "good". What does this specific categorisation most likely reflect about early Indian society?

A The complete eradication of non-Brahmanical marriage forms.

B The exclusive practice of polyandry among the elites.

C A strict legal requirement that all citizens must practice only the first form.

D An attempt to integrate and hierarchize diverse prevailing marital practices under a Brahmanical framework.

💡 Short Explanation

Multiple marriage customs existed. Brahmanas ranked them hierarchically. Diversity persisted despite prescriptions.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The recognition of eight marriage forms demonstrates that Brahmanical authors were aware of diverse social practices. By classifying some as superior and others as inferior, they attempted to organize varied traditions within a hierarchical framework. Therefore Option D is correct.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → Non-Brahmanical practices clearly continued to exist.
Option B → Polyandry was not the exclusive elite norm.
Option C → Social reality was more varied than legal prescriptions.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Interpret why multiple forms were recognized.

Final Logic:

Classification reflects diversity managed through hierarchy.

🧠 Memory Trick

8 Forms = Diversity Ranked

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

8 Assertion (A): The fifth to eighth forms of marriage were condemned in the Dharmashastras.
Reason (R): These forms were entirely fictional and never practised by any community in the subcontinent.

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

B Both A and R are false.

C A is true, but R is false.

D A is false, but R is true.

💡 Short Explanation

Dharmashastras condemned some forms. Recognition implies actual existence. Fictional practices need not be classified.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The Dharmashastras did condemn the fifth to eighth marriage forms. However, these forms were not fictional. Their inclusion indicates that they existed in society and were sufficiently widespread to require discussion. Thus the Assertion is true and the Reason is false.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → The Reason is historically incorrect.
Option B → The Assertion is correct.
Option D → The Assertion is not false.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Elimination

Application:

Test the factual accuracy of each statement separately.

Final Logic:

Condemnation implies recognition of real practices.

🧠 Memory Trick

Mentioned = Practised

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

9 The Brahmanical practice of classifying people in terms of ____________ became evident from c. 1000 BCE, heavily influencing naming and marriage conventions.

A Varnas

B Gotras

C Jatis

D Shrenis

💡 Short Explanation

Gotras linked people to Vedic seers. They influenced marriage rules. They reinforced lineage identity.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

From around 1000 BCE, Brahmanical traditions increasingly classified people through gotras. These lineage groups influenced naming practices and governed exogamous marriage rules. Therefore Option B correctly identifies the concept central to kinship organization.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → Varnas relate to social hierarchy, not lineage classification.
Option C → Jatis emerged as more localized social groups.
Option D → Shrenis were occupational guilds.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Memory Recall

Application:

Recall the lineage concept associated with Vedic seers.

Final Logic:

Gotras shaped identity and marriage regulations.

🧠 Memory Trick

Gotra = Seer's Lineage

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

10 By naming each gotra after a Vedic seer and regarding its members as his descendants, the Brahmanical system primarily aimed to:

A Construct a rigid patrilineal kinship framework anchored in religious tradition.

B Establish a matrilineal descent system.

C Differentiate between rural and urban populations.

D Create a network of trade guilds.

💡 Short Explanation

Gotras traced descent through males. Vedic seers provided sacred legitimacy. Kinship rules reinforced patriliny.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Gotras connected individuals to a common male ancestor represented by a Vedic seer. This strengthened patrilineal identity and regulated marriage relationships. The system used religious authority to legitimize kinship structures. Therefore Option A is correct.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option B → Gotras were fundamentally patrilineal.
Option C → Rural-urban distinctions were not the purpose.
Option D → Trade guilds were unrelated to gotra organization.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Link gotras with descent, lineage, and religious legitimacy.

Final Logic:

The system institutionalized patrilineal descent through sacred ancestry.

🧠 Memory Trick

Seer → Lineage → Patriliny

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

11 If the rule of exogamy mandated that members of the same gotra could not marry, how does the endogamous practice in South India challenge this?

A It proves that South Indian communities strictly followed the Manusmriti.

B It implies that South Indian rulers were inherently against the institution of marriage.

C It demonstrates that endogamy creates close-knit kin communities, functioning as a resilient local alternative to Brahmanical exogamy.

D It shows that gotras were irrelevant outside northern India.

💡 Short Explanation

Brahmanical texts preferred exogamy. Some South Indian groups practiced endogamy. Local customs remained influential.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Brahmanical norms prescribed exogamy, but several South Indian communities preferred marriages among kin. Such marriages helped maintain close family networks and consolidate social ties. This demonstrates that local customs often coexisted with or challenged Brahmanical ideals. Therefore Option C is correct.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → Endogamy contradicts strict adherence to Brahmanical exogamy.
Option B → Endogamy does not imply opposition to marriage.
Option D → Gotras continued to be relevant in many regions.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Compare prescribed norms with actual regional practices.

Final Logic:

South Indian endogamy shows the persistence of local kinship traditions.

🧠 Memory Trick

South India = Close-Kin Marriage

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

12 The Brahmanical rule requiring women to adopt their husband's gotra upon marriage serves as evidence for which broader social structure?

A The dominance of matrilineal property inheritance.

B The equality of genders in ritual status.

C The influence of Buddhist texts on household structures.

D The deep-rooted ideal of patriliny, where a woman's identity is transferred to her husband's lineage.

💡 Short Explanation

Gotra reflected lineage identity. Women joined the husband's family after marriage. Patriliny shaped kinship organization.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The adoption of the husband's gotra symbolized a woman's incorporation into her husband's lineage. This reflects the patrilineal structure emphasized in Brahmanical traditions, where descent, inheritance, and family identity passed through males. Therefore Option D is correct.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → The rule supports patriliny, not matriliny.
Option B → Ritual equality is not implied.
Option C → The practice originated within Brahmanical traditions.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Connect gotra transfer with lineage and inheritance.

Final Logic:

Changing gotra reflects movement into the husband's patrilineal family.

🧠 Memory Trick

Father's Gotra → Husband's Gotra

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

13 The Satavahanas ruled over parts of western India and the Deccan between c. second century BCE and second century CE. Their inscriptions are vital for historians because:

A They contain the earliest versions of the Mahabharata.

B They outline the exact trade routes to Central Asia.

C They provide specific evidence of marriages that deviate from orthodox Brahmanical exogamy rules.

D They represent the only known texts written by Shudras.

💡 Short Explanation

Satavahana inscriptions record family relations. Some queens retained their father's gotra. Evidence reveals variations in marriage practices.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Satavahana inscriptions provide valuable information on kinship and marriage. They show that some women retained their natal gotra and that marriages among relatives occurred, indicating departures from strict Brahmanical exogamy. Therefore Option C correctly captures their historical importance.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → The inscriptions do not preserve the earliest Mahabharata versions.
Option B → Their main significance is kinship evidence, not trade routes.
Option D → They were not the only texts written by Shudras.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Memory Recall

Application:

Recall the specific NCERT discussion on Satavahana inscriptions.

Final Logic:

The inscriptions are important because they reveal alternative marriage practices.

🧠 Memory Trick

Satavahana = Marriage Evidence

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

14 Which of the following is an INCORRECT statement regarding the family ties reconstructed from Satavahana inscriptions?

A They confirm that marriages among kinfolk were entirely absent in the Deccan.

B They show that some queens belonged to the exact same gotra.

C They reveal that several generations of rulers used names ending in 'puta'.

D They demonstrate that not all elite families adopted the husband's gotra upon marriage.

💡 Short Explanation

Evidence shows kin marriages existed. Queens sometimes shared gotras. Brahmanical ideals were not always followed.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Satavahana inscriptions indicate the existence of marriages among relatives and show deviations from prescribed exogamy. Therefore the statement that kin marriages were entirely absent is incorrect. The other options accurately reflect information obtained from the inscriptions.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option B → Some queens indeed belonged to the same gotra.
Option C → Names ending in "puta" appear across generations.
Option D → Some women retained their father's gotra after marriage.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Extreme Word Filter

Application:

Watch for absolute words such as "entirely absent."

Final Logic:

Historical evidence clearly shows the presence of kin marriages.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Entirely" = Warning Sign

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

15 The widespread use of metronymics (like Gotami-puta) by Satavahana kings, coupled with patrilineal succession to the throne, indicates that:

A Matriliny was the dominant political system in the Satavahana empire.

B While mother's lineage was acknowledged in naming, it did not overwrite the overarching patrilineal power structure.

C Kings were chosen democratically based on their mothers' wealth.

D The Satavahanas completely rejected all Brahmanical traditions.

💡 Short Explanation

Metronymics honored mothers. Succession remained patrilineal. Kinship practices were complex.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Satavahana rulers frequently used metronymics such as Gotami-puta, highlighting maternal identity. However, royal succession still followed patrilineal principles. Thus maternal recognition coexisted with a broader patrilineal political order. Therefore Option B is correct.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → Political succession was not matrilineal.
Option C → Kings were not selected democratically.
Option D → Satavahanas retained many Brahmanical features.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Balance evidence of maternal naming with patrilineal succession.

Final Logic:

Metronymics acknowledged mothers without replacing patriliny.

🧠 Memory Trick

Mother Named, Father Ruled

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

16 The retention of gotra names like Gotami and Vasithi by Satavahana queens after marriage reveals a significant historical insight. What is it?

A That the queens belonged to the lowest varna.

B That they were strictly adhering to the dictates of the Manusmriti.

C That women were the primary authors of the Dharmashastras.

D That normative Brahmanical rules were not universally implemented or were adapted by ruling elites.

💡 Short Explanation

Brahmanical rules prescribed adopting the husband's gotra. Some queens retained natal gotras. Practice differed from prescription.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Satavahana queens retaining their natal gotras demonstrates that Brahmanical norms were not always followed literally. Elite families often adapted traditions to suit local political and social needs. Therefore Option D correctly reflects the historical significance of this evidence.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → Gotra retention does not indicate varna rank.
Option B → Retention actually departs from Manusmriti ideals.
Option C → No evidence suggests queens authored Dharmashastras.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Compare normative prescriptions with inscriptional evidence.

Final Logic:

Actual practices often differed from Brahmanical ideals.

🧠 Memory Trick

Queens Kept Gotra = Rules Adapted

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

17 The instances of endogamy among the Satavahanas likely served which strategic purpose?

A Expanding the empire across the seas.

B Conforming to the dictates of the Buddhist Sangha.

C Ensuring a close-knit community and consolidating power within a specific kin group.

D Completely avoiding any form of marriage alliances.

💡 Short Explanation

Endogamy preserved kinship ties. Elite families consolidated authority. Marriage strengthened internal networks.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Marriage among relatives often helped ruling families preserve property, status, and political influence within a limited group. Satavahana endogamy likely strengthened kinship solidarity and power concentration. Hence Option C is the best explanation.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → Endogamy was unrelated to overseas expansion.
Option B → The Buddhist Sangha did not prescribe such marriages.
Option D → Endogamy itself is a marriage alliance strategy.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Link endogamy with political and kinship consolidation.

Final Logic:

Close-kin marriages strengthened elite family networks.

🧠 Memory Trick

Endogamy = Keep Power Inside

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

18 The documented variations in marriage practices, such as endogamy in South India versus the exogamy recommended by northern Brahmanical texts, underscore:

A The complex dialogues between dominant orthodox traditions and resilient local practices across different regions.

B The homogenization of culture across the subcontinent.

C The complete failure of the gotra system.

D The lack of any social rules in early India.

💡 Short Explanation

Social practices varied regionally. Local traditions remained strong. Brahmanical norms were not universally accepted.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

NCERT emphasizes that historical societies were shaped by interactions between dominant traditions and local customs. Variations in marriage practices demonstrate adaptation, negotiation, and coexistence rather than uniformity. Therefore Option A is correct.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option B → Evidence points to diversity, not homogenization.
Option C → Gotra continued to influence many communities.
Option D → Numerous social rules existed.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Interpret regional diversity through historical evidence.

Final Logic:

Different marriage systems reveal negotiation between ideals and practice.

🧠 Memory Trick

Local Customs Survive

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

📄 Passage

"For early societies, historians can retrieve information about elite families fairly easily; it is, however, far more difficult to reconstruct the familial relationships of ordinary people. Historians also investigate and analyse attitudes towards family and kinship. These are important, because they provide an insight into people's thinking; it is likely that some of these ideas would have shaped their actions, just as actions may have led to changes in attitudes."

Based on the passage and the context of the chapter, why is it challenging to fully determine the importance of mothers in ordinary early families?

A Because ordinary people did not have family structures.

B Because all texts from this period were destroyed.

C Because Brahmanas prohibited ordinary people from marrying.

D Because texts mainly focus on elite lineages, obscuring the daily dynamics of ordinary people.

💡 Short Explanation

Sources focus on elites. Ordinary family life is less documented. Historians must infer social realities carefully.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The passage explicitly states that historians can more easily reconstruct elite family histories than those of ordinary people. Since available records focus on elites, understanding everyday family relationships, including the role of mothers, becomes difficult. Therefore Option D is correct.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → Ordinary people certainly had family structures.
Option B → Many historical sources survive.
Option C → No such prohibition existed.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Use the passage directly to identify the historian's challenge.

Final Logic:

Elite-focused sources limit knowledge of ordinary families.

🧠 Memory Trick

Sources = Elite Bias

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

📄 Passage

The passage notes that historians analyse attitudes to understand how ideas shaped actions. In the context of succession, how did the Mahabharata shape the attitude towards patriliny?

A It undermined it by portraying a successful matrilineal kingdom.

B It reinforced the idea that patrilineal succession was valuable and ideal through its central conflict.

C It strictly promoted succession by democratic election.

D It proved that wealth should be equally divided among all daughters.

💡 Short Explanation

The Mahabharata centers on inheritance. Succession disputes drive the narrative. Patriliny is presented as highly significant.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The central conflict of the Mahabharata revolves around inheritance, patrimony, and succession. By emphasizing disputes over rightful heirs, the epic reinforced the importance of patrilineal descent and succession in elite society. Therefore, Option B correctly captures its ideological influence.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → The epic does not advocate matriliny.
Option C → Democratic elections are absent from the succession narrative.
Option D → Equal inheritance for daughters is not promoted.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Connect the epic's central storyline with social ideals.

Final Logic:

Inheritance conflict strengthened the value of patriliny.

🧠 Memory Trick

Mahabharata = Patriliny Drama

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

CUET UG History Booster Test 3 - Marriage Rules and Gotra System

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