NCERT Class 12 History — Chapter 3: Kinship, Caste and Class - Early Societies (c. 600 BCE - 600 CE)

mcqeasy

According to the prescriptions of the Manusmriti, women were warned against hoarding family property or personal valuables without the permission of whom?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

AThe Husband
BThe Father
CThe King
DThe Son

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is The Husband.

Explanation

The Manusmriti (Laws of Manu) is a prominent Dharmashastra text that codified social norms, duties, and legal frameworks in ancient India. It established a rigid patriarchal social order, defining specific codes of conduct for women regarding family life and property.

Analysis:

The text acknowledges the concept of Stridhana (women's wealth), which typically included gifts received during marriage or from family. However, it placed restrictions on a woman's autonomy over wealth.
The Manusmriti explicitly warns women against hoarding family property, which was considered common to the household, or even their own valuables, without the permission of the husband.
This provision reinforces the text's general view on the dependency of women, asserting that they should not act independently in financial matters within the marital home.

Key Takeaway: Under the social code of the Manusmriti, a woman's economic agency regarding the accumulation of property was strictly subject to the husband's authority.

Your note

More from Chapter 3: Kinship, Caste and Class - Early Societies (c. 600 BCE - 600 CE)

With reference to the story of Ekalavya and Drona, consider the following statements: 1. Drona refused to teach Ekalavya because he did not belong to the Kuru lineage. 2. Ekalavya offered his right thumb as a fee to Drona. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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In ancient Sanskrit texts, the term ‘mlechchha’ was commonly used to refer to which of the following groups?

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In the epic Mahabharata, Ekalavya is described as belonging to which of the following social categories?

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Who among the following excavated the village of Hastinapura in Meerut in 1951-52?

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With reference to the critical edition of the Mahabharata, consider the following statements: 1. The project was initiated in 1919 under the leadership of V.S. Sukthankar. 2. The team collected only those manuscripts which were written in the Devanagari script. 3. The project revealed that there were enormous regional variations in the ways the text had been transmitted. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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The correct option is The Husband.

Explanation

Analysis:

The text acknowledges the concept of Stridhana (women's wealth), which typically included gifts received during marriage or from family. However, it placed restrictions on a woman's autonomy over wealth.
The Manusmriti explicitly warns women against hoarding family property, which was considered common to the household, or even their own valuables, without the permission of the husband.
This provision reinforces the text's general view on the dependency of women, asserting that they should not act independently in financial matters within the marital home.

Key Takeaway: Under the social code of the Manusmriti, a woman's economic agency regarding the accumulation of property was strictly subject to the husband's authority.