Marriage, Lineage, and Property in Vedic and Smriti Literature : A Sociological Study of the Formation of the Family Institution

In ancient Indian society, marriage, lineage and property played an important role in the structure and development of the family. The objective of the presented research paper is to study the mutual relations of these three and their impact on the institutional structure of the family in the context of Vedic and Smriti literature. In this, Vedic literature, Dharmasutras, Dharmashastras and related historical and sociological studies have been used. An attempt has been made to understand the social importance of these systems through text analysis and sociological approach. The study also takes into account the possible gap between the rules described in Vedic and Smriti texts and actual social behavior. These arrangements were also related to the rights of women, and family status. Analysis shows that the marriage played a significant role in organizing a couple of relationships and householder life, and in maintaining relations between family's identity and generations and property and succession played an important role in the transfer of family resources.