1922.) Primogeniture in Ancient India. 433 
‘“‘ He who is the first by birth, sacred knowledge, or good 
qualities, shall take a couple of shares out of the partible 
wealth, and the rest shall take equal shares. 
‘‘When they divide their father’s heritage all the sons 
shall share alike.” (XXV, 7-10, 8.B.E., XXXIII, page 371.) 
Katyayana is also against special treatment of the eldest son. 
This triumph of equality over primogeniture marked the com- 
plete emancipation of the junior coparcener from the control 
of the head of the family exercised by the father or the eldest 
brother. 
In studying the evolution of primitive polities we notice 
two important characteristics, namely, agnation and patria 
potestas. With the progress of society, as we follow the 
transition from the tribal to the territorial state, both 
these characteristics were slowly impaired. In ancient India 
as in ancient Rome and in other ancient states the family 
patriarch was gradually shorn of most of his prerogatives 
language of modern civilised society 
aggressive individualism over primitiv 
definitely proclaimed. 
FE tn Oe ae ai ain ei 5 
