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Sukanya Das, Lovely Professional University Unit 19: The Geneological Method

Unit 19: The Geneological Method Notes

CONTENTS
Objectives

Introduction
19.1 Geneological Method
19.2 Methods of Marriage Found among Different Ethnic Communities
19.3 Hindu Marriage

19.4 Summary
19.5 Keywords
19.6 Review Questions
19.7 Further Readings

Objectives
After studying this unit, students will be able to:
• Know about the key features which determine geneology.
• Know about the various methods of marriage found among the different ethnic communities.

Introduction
In the Indian society, the family is the smallest and significant unit and its existence is based on
marriage. The institution of marriage exists in every society. Its aim is to keep the human race
alive by the process of reproduction. In the absence of reproduction, the entire human race will
come to an end. In the society these are socially accepted norms to select a life partner. India
is an ethnic society, with diversity in caste, language, religion and culture. Marriage is associ-
ated with all of these factors. As far as recognition goes, it is provided by the society. Today in
a secular state, the state too, gives recognition to marriage. The couple could also opt for ‘civil
marriage.’ Arya Samaj, does not believe in the caste system, too, represents a civil marriage.

19.1 Geneological Method

There are many rules and systems on which the geneological method is based. They are as fol-
lows:

Descent Rules

The ideology or the unison of ideologies, the basis of which kinship is specified, technical basis
are called rules of descent. Descent has three basic rules:

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