Question

According to the ________, the paternal estate was to be divided equally amongst sons after the death of the parents, with a special share for the eldest.

• A. Manusmriti
• B. Upanishads
• C. Mahabharata
• D. Puranas

Hint:

Whenever a question asks about normative rules regarding patriliny, marriage types (eight forms), or inheritance of paternal property, the source cited is almost invariably the Manusmriti.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Concept:
Ancient Indian legal and normative literature, categorized as the Dharmashastras and Dharmasutras, established codes of social conduct, inheritance laws, and varna obligations.
Compiled in Sanskrit, these treatises reflected the patriarchal ideals promoted by the orthodox Brahmanical tradition.

Step 1: Inheritance Norms in the Manusmriti:
The Manusmriti, compiled between c. 2nd century BCE and 2nd century CE, represents the most influential Brahmanical legal text.
Regarding property and gender relations, the text details the principles of patrilineal inheritance.
According to the Manusmriti, after the death of the parents, the paternal estate was to be divided equally among all surviving sons.
Crucially, a special and larger share was reserved specifically for the eldest son to reflect his primary ceremonial and familial responsibilities.
Women were excluded from claiming any share of the ancestral paternal estate; they were only entitled to retain stridhana (bridal gifts and jewelry received at marriage).

Step 2: Evaluating Other Literary Genres:
The Upanishads are philosophical and metaphysical discourses exploring Brahman, Atman, and the cosmos, rather than legal inheritance codes.
The Mahabharata is an epic narrative that illustrates dynastic conflicts over patrilineal succession, but it is not a formal legal code.
The Puranas are mythological and cosmological narratives detailing genealogies, rituals, and sectarian devotions.
Final Answer:
According to the Manusmriti, the paternal estate was to be divided equally among sons with a special share for the eldest.