Question

Arrange the following sequence in the evolution of marriage as suggested by L.H. Morgan.
• [A.] Polyandry
• [B.] Sexual promiscuity
• [C.] Monogamy
• [D.] Group marriage
Choose the correct answer from the options given below :

• A. B-D-A-C
• B. C-B-A-D
• C. A-B-C-D
• D. C-A-B-D

Hint:

According to L.H. Morgan, marriage evolved from sexual promiscuity to group marriage, then to more regulated forms such as polyandry and finally monogamy.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Concept: L.H. Morgan was an important evolutionary anthropologist who proposed stages in the development of family and marriage institutions. According to classical evolutionary anthropology:
• Human society evolved gradually,
• Marriage forms changed over time,
• Social organization became progressively structured. Morgan attempted to trace the historical sequence of marital evolution.

Step 1: Understanding Sexual Promiscuity. Morgan believed the earliest stage of human relations involved: \[ Sexual promiscuity \] In this stage:
• No fixed marital relations existed,
• Sexual relations were relatively unrestricted,
• Family structure was undeveloped. Thus: \[ B = \text{First stage} \]

Step 2: Understanding Group Marriage. The next stage proposed was: \[ Group marriage \] In this form:
• Groups of males and females were considered marital partners,
• Individual pairing was not fixed,
• Kinship organization began developing. Thus: \[ D = \text{Second stage} \]

Step 3: Understanding Polyandry. Morgan suggested more structured marital systems emerged later, including: \[ Polyandry \] Polyandry refers to: \[ \text{One woman having multiple husbands} \] This represented:
• Greater regulation,
• Defined marital structure,
• More organized kinship. Thus: \[ A = \text{Third stage} \]

Step 4: Understanding Monogamy. The final and most developed stage according to Morgan was: \[ Monogamy \] This involves:
• One husband,
• One wife,
• Stable family organization. Thus: \[ C = \text{Final stage} \]

Step 5: Determining the correct sequence. The correct evolutionary order becomes: \[ B \rightarrow D \rightarrow A \rightarrow C \] Hence, the correct answer is: \[ \boxed{\text{(A) B-D-A-C}} \]