Kinship, Caste And Class Early Societies (С. 600 Bce-600 Cе)

This section explores the relationships between kinship, caste, and class in early societies, emphasizing the impact of economic and political changes during the period from 600 BCE to 600 CE.

The Critical Edition Of The Mahabharata

The Critical Edition of the Mahabharata represents a monumental scholarly effort to compile and analyze over 1,000 years of textual variations of one of India's most significant epics.

Kinship And Marriage

This section explores the complex social fabric of kinship and marriage in early societies, highlighting the significance of familial relationships, customs, and the evolving rules surrounding them.

Finding Out About Families

This section explores the diversity of family structures and kinship norms in early societies, emphasizing the significance of patrilineal lineage.

The Ideal Of Patriliny

This section discusses the significance of patriliny in ancient Indian societies, emphasizing its implications on kinship, power, and social structure as reflected in texts like the Mahabharata.

Rules Of Marriage

This section explores the various rules and practices surrounding marriage in early Indian society, emphasizing the concepts of endogamy and exogamy, as well as the significance of the different forms of marriage.

The Gotra Of Women

This section discusses the practices related to the gotra system for women in ancient Indian society, focusing on how women's gotras changed upon marriage and the implications of these practices.

Were Mothers Important?

This section discusses the roles and significance of mothers in early Indian society, particularly through the lens of the Satavahana dynasty's naming practices and the patrilineal system.

Social Differences: Within And Beyond The Framework Of Caste

This section discusses the complexities of social differences in ancient Indian society, particularly focusing on the framework of caste and emerging social structures.

The 'right' Occupation

This section discusses the prescribed occupations for the four varnas in ancient Indian society, emphasizing the roles assigned to Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras according to the Dharmasutras and Dharmashastras.

Non-Kshatriya Kings

This section discusses the origins of various ruling lineages and the complexities surrounding the concept of kingship as mandated by Brahmanical texts, particularly focusing on instances where non-Kshatriya individuals attained power.

Jatis And Social Mobility

This section explores the concept of jatis as social categories in ancient Indian society, highlighting the complexities of social mobility and integration beyond the four varnas.

Beyond The Four Varnas: Integration

This section explores the integration of diverse social practices beyond the Brahmanical varna system, highlighting how various groups maintained distinct identities despite societal pressures.

Beyond The Four Varnas: Subordination And Conflict

This section discusses social stratification beyond the four varnas in ancient India, focusing on the classification of certain groups as 'untouchables' and the resulting social dynamics.

Beyond Birth: Resources And Status

This section explores the impact of economic resources on social status, particularly focusing on gendered access to property as reflected in texts like the Mahabharata.

Gendered Access To Property

This section addresses the gender disparities in access to property and inheritance rights in ancient Indian society, particularly highlighting the differences between men and women in the context of family wealth.

Varna And Access To Property

This section discusses how the Brahmanical texts regulated access to property based on varna and gender, detailing the social structures that determined wealth distribution in ancient India.

An Alternative Social Scenario: Sharing Wealth

This section explores the concept of wealth-sharing in ancient Tamilakam, emphasizing the cultural significance of generosity over mere accumulation of wealth.

Explaining Social Differences: A Social Contract

The section explores the dynamics of social differences in early societies, focusing on the ideas of a social contract as theorized in Buddhist texts, contrasting with Brahmanical views of social hierarchy.

Handling Texts: Historians And The Mahabharata

This section discusses how historians analyze texts like the Mahabharata to reconstruct social histories and understand kinship, caste, and class dynamics in ancient Indian society.

Language And Content

This section discusses how historical texts, particularly the Mahabharata, provide insights into social structures, norms, and practices of early Indian societies.

Author(S) And Dates

This section explores the complexities of kinship, marriage, and social hierarchies in early Indian society, with a focus on the Mahabharata and the evolution of castes.

The Search For Convergence

This section explores the archaeological findings related to the Mahabharata, indicating historical truths and cultural reflections within the epic.

A Dynamic Text

This section explores the evolution and influence of the Mahabharata as a dynamic text, highlighting its continued relevance across various cultures and languages.

Timeline 1: Major Textual Traditions

This section explores significant textual traditions, particularly focusing on the Mahabharata and how it reflects the evolution of kinship, caste, and social norms in ancient Indian society.

Timeline 2: Major Landmarks In The Study Of The Mahabharata

This section outlines the significant milestones in the scholarly study of the Mahabharata, focusing on critical developments from the early 20th century to the present.