Question

Hypergamy is a system of marriage according to which a man from a particular caste can marry a woman of:

• A. Higher caste
• B. The same caste or a lower caste
• C. The same caste or a higher caste
• D. Lower caste

Hint:

Remember that hypergamy involves a marriage where the bride's social status is higher than that of the groom.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Concept
Hypergamy is a practice where individuals from a lower social status marry someone of a higher social status. This concept is often observed within the context of caste systems, where there are strict rules about who can marry whom based on their social or economic standing.

Step 2: Meaning
In a hypergamous marriage system, the bride's social status is higher than that of the groom. The term "hypergamy" comes from the Greek words "huper," meaning "above," and "gamos," meaning "marriage."

Step 3: Analysis
To understand why option B is correct, we need to consider the definition of hypergamy in the context of caste systems. In a hypergamous system, a man from a particular caste can marry a woman who belongs to a higher caste than his own. This means that the woman's social status is above that of the man. Option A suggests that a man can marry a woman from a higher caste, which aligns with the definition of hypergamy. Options C and D do not fit because they imply that a man could marry within or below his own caste, which contradicts the concept of hypergamy where the bride's status is always above the groom's.

Step 4: Conclusion
Therefore, in a hypergamous system, a man from a particular caste can marry a woman who belongs to a higher caste than his own. Final Answer: (B)