Which kind of form of family is reflected in Khasi society?
A. Matrilocal
B. Matrilineal
C. Matriarchal
D. Patrilocal
E. Patrilineal
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → B and A only
A. Matrilocal Correct. In a matrilocal society the newly married couple stays with the woman’s parents. A Khasi man lives in his wife’s house, which is why the wife with whom he lives can pull him away from his duties to his natal house.
B. Matrilineal Correct. A matrilineal society passes on property from mother to daughter. Khasi custom prescribes the devolution of ancestral property in the female line.
C. Matriarchal Incorrect. Matriarchy, where women exercise dominance, has been a theoretical rather than an empirical concept. Khasi women possess only token authority; men are the de facto power holders, so the Khasi are matrilineal, not matriarchal.
D. Patrilocal Incorrect. In a patrilocal society the couple lives with the man’s parents, the opposite of the Khasi rule.
E. Patrilineal Incorrect. A patrilineal society passes on property from father to son; among the Khasi it passes from mother to daughter.
Note: Box 3.3 on the Khasi matrilineal family, in the chapter ‘Social Institutions: Continuity and Change’, was there in the pre-rationalised NCERT, which NTA followed in 2023. This box has been deleted from the NCERT book (2025-26), though the chapter and its section on the diverse forms of the family are still there.
NCERT (2025-26): “The Diverse Forms of the Family … Studies have shown how diverse family forms are found in different societies. With regard to the rule of residence, some societies are matrilocal in their marriage and family customs while others are patrilocal. In the first case, the newly married couple stays with the woman’s parents, whereas in the second case the couple lives with the man’s parents. With regard to the rules of inheritance, matrilineal societies pass on property from mother to daughter while patrilineal societies do so from father to son. A patriarchal family structure exists where the men exercise authority and dominance, and matriarchy where the women play a similarly dominant role. However, matriarchy – unlike patriarchy – has been a theoretical rather than an empirical concept. There is no historical or anthropological evidence of matriarchy – i.e., societies where women exercise dominance. However, there do exist matrilineal societies, i.e., societies where women inherit property from their mothers but do not exercise control over it, nor are they the decision makers in public affairs.”
Box 3.3, Khasi matrilineal family (Pre-rationalised NCERT) |
