Kingship, Caste and class

Early Societies (c. 600 BCE600 CE)

Kula

Designate Families

Jnati

Larger network of kinfolk

Vamsha

Lineage

Patriliny

Descent from father to son, so on

Matriliny

Descent is traced from Mother

Endogamy

marriage within a unit, caste, group

Exogamy

marriage outside unit, caste, group

Polygyny

Practice of man having several wives

Polyandry

Practice of women having several Husbands

Dharmasutras

Sanskrit texts containing norms

Gotras

descendants in an unbroken chain

Metronymics

Names derived from mother

Varnas

4 Categories

Mlechchhas

Refers Shakas, outsiders

Nishadas

People living in the forests

Suvarnakara

Goldsmiths

Chandalas

people dealing with disposal of Corpses, lower castes

Didactic

Intended to teach or instruct, often in a moral context. ,

meant for purpose of instuctions