Which of the following statements are correct?

A. The Dharmasutras and Dharmashastras recognised as many as twelve forms of marriages.
B. People were classified into gotras and each gotra was named after a Vedic seer.
C. Jatis, which shared a common occupation, were sometimes organised into shrenis or guilds.
D. Women were allowed to retain the gifts they received on their marriage as 'Stridhana' to be inherited by their children.
E. Matriliny is the term used when descent is traced through the mother.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

B, C, D, E only

The correct answer is Option (3) → B, C, D, E only

Given statements:

A. The Dharmasutras and Dharmashastras recognised as many as twelve forms of marriages. (Incorrect)
B. People were classified into gotras and each gotra was named after a Vedic seer. (Correct)
C. Jatis, which shared a common occupation, were sometimes organised into shrenis or guilds. (Correct)
D. Women were allowed to retain the gifts they received on their marriage as 'Stridhana' to be inherited by their children. (Correct)
E. Matriliny is the term used when descent is traced through the mother. (Correct)

Explanation:

Faced with the growing challenge to their beliefs, the Brahmanas responded by laying down codes of social behaviour in great detail. These were meant to be followed by Brahmanas in particular and the rest of society in general. From c. 500 BCE, these norms were compiled in Sanskrit texts known as the Dharmasutras and Dharmashastras. The most important of such works, the Manusmriti, was compiled between c. 200 BCE and 200 CE. What is interesting is that the Dharmasutras and Dharmashastras recognised as many as eight forms of marriage. Of these, the first four were considered as “good” while the remaining were condemned. It is possible that these were practised by those who did not accept Brahmanical norms.