Question

How was patriliny system important among the elite families from sixth century BCE onwards. Explain with examples.

Answer 1

The patriline system tracks a father's lineage to his son. Among the wealthy families of the sixth century BCE, it was significant. With very few instances, such as Prabhavati Gupta, who had a woman ascend to the throne, brothers or other relatives took over the succession in the absence of boys. The concepts of patriliny are further confirmed by the mantras in ritual literature. An illustration of patriliny in the royal family is the conflict between the Kauravas and Pandavas, two sets of warring cousins, over territory and power in Mahabharat.