Q. The concept of ‘Gotra’ become established in which period?
(a) Rig Vedic age
(b) Later Vedic age
(c) Pre Mauryan Period
(d) Mauryan period
Ans: (b) Later Vedic age
Explanation:
The concept of ‘Gotra’ became established in the (b) Later Vedic age.
Gotra refers to the concept of lineage or clan in Hindu society. It is a system of identifying and grouping individuals based on their patrilineal descent. Each individual belongs to a particular Gotra, which is believed to trace back to a common ancestor or sage. The concept of Gotra is associated with marriage practices and social interactions, as individuals belonging to the same Gotra are considered to be of the same familial lineage and are prohibited from marrying within the same Gotra.
The concept of Gotra finds mention in the later Vedic texts, such as the Brahmanas and the Dharmasutras, which were composed during the later Vedic age. These texts provide detailed rules and regulations regarding marriage and social interaction based on one’s Gotra. Therefore, the establishment and development of the Gotra system can be traced back to the later Vedic age.
