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In fact, the rule of succession to Stridhana was that it would go to daughters, to the exclusion of the sons and, to the sons only in the event of there being no daughters.

In fact, the rule of succession to Stridhana was that it would go to daughters, to the exclusion of the sons and, to the sons only in the event of there being no daughters.

=== संयुक्तकुटुम्बेषु स्त्रीणाम् अधिकाराः ॥ Rights of women members in joint family ===

=== संयुक्तकुटुम्बेषु स्त्रीणाम् अधिकाराः ॥ Rights of Women in Joint Family ===

Within the joint family, male members upto three lineal descendants form a coparcenary. Though women were not admitted to the membership of this coparcenary, they were members of the joint family. And thus, the law gave them the right to a share equal to 'one fourth of the share of the brothers' at partition though they were not given the right to compel partition.

Within the joint family, male members upto three lineal descendants form a coparcenary. Though women were not admitted to the membership of this coparcenary, they were members of the joint family. And thus, the law gave them the right to a share equal to 'one fourth of the share of the brothers' at partition though they were not given the right to compel partition.

[[Yajnavalkya Smrti (याज्ञवल्क्यस्मृतिः)|Yajnavalkya Smrti]] states that wives are entitled to a share 'equal to that of sons' at a partition. But the share is liable to be reduced by the amount of stridhana given by the husband or the father-in-law, if any, in their possession. It says, <blockquote>यदि कुर्यात्समानंशान्पत्न्यः कार्याः समांशिकाः । न दत्तं स्त्रीधनं यासां भर्त्रा वा श्वशुरेण वा । । २.११५ । ।<ref>Yajnavalkya Smrti, Vyavaharadhyaya, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%9C%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9E%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D Dayavibhaga Prakaranam].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''yadi kuryātsamānaṁśānpatnyaḥ kāryāḥ samāṁśikāḥ । na dattaṁ strīdhanaṁ yāsāṁ bhartrā vā śvaśurēṇa vā । । 2.115 । ।''</blockquote>This rule recognized the right to share in favour of a wife and if there was more than one wife, all the wives were entitled to equal shares. Also, the amount of Stridhana to be taken into account for the purpose of reducing the share was only that which was given by the husband or the father-in-law.

[[Yajnavalkya Smrti (याज्ञवल्क्यस्मृतिः)|Yajnavalkya Smrti]] states that wives are entitled to a share 'equal to that of sons' at a partition. But the share is liable to be reduced by the amount of stridhana given by the husband or the father-in-law, if any, in their possession. It says, <blockquote>यदि कुर्यात्समानंशान्पत्न्यः कार्याः समांशिकाः । न दत्तं स्त्रीधनं यासां भर्त्रा वा श्वशुरेण वा । । २.११५ । ।<ref>Yajnavalkya Smrti, Vyavaharadhyaya, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%9C%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9E%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D Dayavibhaga Prakaranam].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''yadi kuryātsamānaṁśānpatnyaḥ kāryāḥ samāṁśikāḥ । na dattaṁ strīdhanaṁ yāsāṁ bhartrā vā śvaśurēṇa vā । । 2.115 । ।''</blockquote>This rule recognized the right to share in favour of a wife and if there was more than one wife, all the wives were entitled to equal shares. Also, the amount of Stridhana to be taken into account for the purpose of reducing the share was only that which was given by the husband or the father-in-law.

=== जननीनाम् अधिकारः ॥ Right of mothers ===

=== जननीनाम् अधिकारः ॥ Right of Mothers ===

<blockquote>समांशहारिणी माता | ''samāṁśahāriṇī mātā |'' </blockquote>Meaning : Mother is an Equal Sharer.<blockquote>समांशहारिणी मातेति वचनात् मातृपदस्य जननीपरत्वात् न | सपत्नीमातृपरत्वमपि सकृत् श्रुतस्य मुख्यगौणत्वानुपपत्तेः || (Smriti Chandrika)</blockquote><blockquote>''samāṁśahāriṇī mātēti vacanāt mātr̥padasya jananīparatvāt na | sapatnīmātr̥paratvamapi sakr̥t śrutasya mukhyagauṇatvānupapatteḥ ||''</blockquote>Meaning: The expression 'mother' includes the step-mother, i.e., the other wives, if any, of the father. Their share was, however, liable to be reduced to the extent of stridhana in their possession.

<blockquote>समांशहारिणी माता | ''samāṁśahāriṇī mātā |'' </blockquote>Meaning : Mother is an Equal Sharer.<blockquote>समांशहारिणी मातेति वचनात् मातृपदस्य जननीपरत्वात् न | सपत्नीमातृपरत्वमपि सकृत् श्रुतस्य मुख्यगौणत्वानुपपत्तेः || (Smriti Chandrika)</blockquote><blockquote>''samāṁśahāriṇī mātēti vacanāt mātr̥padasya jananīparatvāt na | sapatnīmātr̥paratvamapi sakr̥t śrutasya mukhyagauṇatvānupapatteḥ ||''</blockquote>Meaning: The expression 'mother' includes the step-mother, i.e., the other wives, if any, of the father. Their share was, however, liable to be reduced to the extent of stridhana in their possession.

Because of this rule, the rights of paternal grandmother or step-grandmother were also similar.

Because of this rule, the rights of paternal grandmother or step-grandmother were also similar.

=== पुत्रीणाम् अधिकारः ॥ Right of daughters ===

=== पुत्रीणाम् अधिकारः ॥ Right of Daughters ===

Daughters, whose marriages had taken place before partition, were given no right in the coparcenary property of their parents' joint family. As regards unmarried daughters, a share in the coparcenary property was recognised.<blockquote>स्वेभ्योऽंशेभ्यस्तु कन्याभ्यः प्रदद्युर्भ्रातरः पृथक् । स्वात्स्वादंशाच्चतुर्भागं पतिताः स्युरदित्सवः । । ९.११८ । ।<ref name=":1" /></blockquote><blockquote>''svēbhyō'ṁśēbhyastu kanyābhyaḥ pradadyurbhrātaraḥ pr̥thak । svātsvādaṁśāccaturbhāgaṁ patitāḥ syuraditsavaḥ । । 9.118 । ।''</blockquote>Meaning : To maiden sisters, each of the brothers shall give out of his share, one-fourth part. Those who fail to give shall become patita (पतितः).

Daughters, whose marriages had taken place before partition, were given no right in the coparcenary property of their parents' joint family. As regards unmarried daughters, a share in the coparcenary property was recognised.<blockquote>स्वेभ्योऽंशेभ्यस्तु कन्याभ्यः प्रदद्युर्भ्रातरः पृथक् । स्वात्स्वादंशाच्चतुर्भागं पतिताः स्युरदित्सवः । । ९.११८ । ।<ref name=":1" /></blockquote><blockquote>''svēbhyō'ṁśēbhyastu kanyābhyaḥ pradadyurbhrātaraḥ pr̥thak । svātsvādaṁśāccaturbhāgaṁ patitāḥ syuraditsavaḥ । । 9.118 । ।''</blockquote>Meaning : To maiden sisters, each of the brothers shall give out of his share, one-fourth part. Those who fail to give shall become patita (पतितः).

However, while repeating the rule, Katyayana Smrti provides that in cases where the property is small, sons and unmarried daughters should share equally.<blockquote>कन्यकानां त्वदत्तानां चतुर्थो भाग इष्यते । पुत्राणां तु त्रयो भागाः साम्यं त्वल्पधने स्मृतम् ।। ८५८ ।।<ref>Katyayana Smrti, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83#%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83 Daya Vibhaga].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''kanyakānāṁ tvadattānāṁ caturtho bhāga iṣyate । putrāṇāṁ tu trayo bhāgāḥ sāmyaṁ tvalpadhane smr̥tam ।। 858 ।।''</blockquote>The Hindu law governing inheritance and partition of joint family property continues to be in force subject to the modifications brought about by legislations. And as per the Hindu succession Act, 1955 a daughter is an equal sharer along with the son in the property of the father.

However, while repeating the rule, Katyayana Smrti provides that in cases where the property is small, sons and unmarried daughters should share equally.<blockquote>कन्यकानां त्वदत्तानां चतुर्थो भाग इष्यते । पुत्राणां तु त्रयो भागाः साम्यं त्वल्पधने स्मृतम् ।। ८५८ ।।<ref>Katyayana Smrti, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83#%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83 Daya Vibhaga].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''kanyakānāṁ tvadattānāṁ caturtho bhāga iṣyate । putrāṇāṁ tu trayo bhāgāḥ sāmyaṁ tvalpadhane smr̥tam ।। 858 ।।''</blockquote>The Hindu law governing inheritance and partition of joint family property continues to be in force subject to the modifications brought about by legislations. And as per the Hindu succession Act, 1955 a daughter is an equal sharer along with the son in the property of the father.

== दण्डविधिः ॥ Quantum of penalty ==

== दण्डविधिः ॥ Quantum of Penalty ==

Katyayana Smrti says that in case of all offences, only half of the punishment prescribed for a man should be imposed on a woman.<ref name=":2" /><blockquote>सर्वेषु चापराधेषु पुंसो योऽर्थदमः स्मृतः । तदर्धं योषितो दद्युर्वधे पुंसोऽङ्ग कर्तनम् ।। ४८७ ।।<ref>Katyayana Smrti, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83#%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83 Danda Vidhi].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''sarveṣu cāparādheṣu puṁso yo'rthadamaḥ smr̥taḥ । tadardhaṁ yoṣito dadyurvadhe puṁso'ṅga kartanam ।। 487 ।।''</blockquote>

Katyayana Smrti says that in case of all offences, only half of the punishment prescribed for a man should be imposed on a woman.<ref name=":2" /><blockquote>सर्वेषु चापराधेषु पुंसो योऽर्थदमः स्मृतः । तदर्धं योषितो दद्युर्वधे पुंसोऽङ्ग कर्तनम् ।। ४८७ ।।<ref>Katyayana Smrti, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83#%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83 Danda Vidhi].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''sarveṣu cāparādheṣu puṁso yo'rthadamaḥ smr̥taḥ । tadardhaṁ yoṣito dadyurvadhe puṁso'ṅga kartanam ।। 487 ।।''</blockquote>