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== Introduction ==
 
== Introduction ==
Bharatadesha referred to as India, is characterized by certain unique geographical features such as the isolation afforded by the northern Himalayan mountain ranges, the southern peninsula, the tropical heat and rainfall and presence of large tracts of alluvial plains in the north. On the historical front it is the seat of highly developed civilization, called Indus Valley civilization. Many social-anthropologists opine that both the geographical and historical features have a direct or indirect bearing on shaping the Indian society.<ref name=":0" />
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The gross human body is subject to the shad bhava vikaras, or the six changes or modifications, viz., Asti (existence), Jayate (birth), Vardhate (growth), Viparinamate (change), Apaksheeyate (decay) and Vinashyate (death) as given in Nirukta (1.2). Human  nature has been defined as the inevitability of having to breathe, eat and drink, sleep, procreate, eliminate waste matter.
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In spite of the universal nature of the family one can see vast differences in its structure in different societies. In tribal and agrarian societies people of several generations live together. Such families are called "undivided families". These societies have large and joint families. In the industrial society the family is limited to husband, wife and their children. Sociologists call it a "nuclear family".   
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Bharatadesha referred to as India, is characterized by certain unique geographical features such as the isolation afforded by the northern Himalayan mountain ranges, the southern peninsula, the tropical heat and rainfall and presence of large tracts of alluvial plains in the north. On the historical front it is the seat of highly developed civilization, called Indus Valley civilization. Many social-anthropologists opine that both the geographical and historical features have a direct or indirect bearing on shaping the Indian society.<ref name=":0" /> The typical social features of the Indian society,  involve the following factors
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* Ashrama dharmas
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* Varna vyavastha
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* Gotras or lineages
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* traditional joint families
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* cultural aspects
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In spite of the universal nature of the family one can see vast differences in its structure in different societies. In tribal and agrarian societies people of several generations live together. Such families are called "undivided families". These societies have large and joint families. However, in the modern industrial society the family is limited to husband, wife and their children. Sociologists call it a "nuclear family".   
    
The family is composed of a number of members  living together in a home. They have definite purposes in living together. Thus a family is an associated group of people governed by certain rules and procedures. In this sense the family is an institution.  
 
The family is composed of a number of members  living together in a home. They have definite purposes in living together. Thus a family is an associated group of people governed by certain rules and procedures. In this sense the family is an institution.  
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In India the gotra system has greatly contributed to the evolution of family structure across various cultural groups.
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In India, the gotra system has greatly contributed to the evolution of family structure across various cultural groups. Vivaha samskara is based on the gotra system, thus directly playing a role in the family structure. Indian society has been unique in world history because of its value system. The value system embedded in the dharmic lifestyle has shaped the social behavior of a person as well as the social institutions. Traditional value system was laid down by the ancient Indian seers, and they include karma, punarjanma, purusharthas, varnas, ashrama vyavastha, samskaras. 
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== References ==
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<references />

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