The Position of Women in Hindu Civilisation, from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day c14.s1.16

c14.s1.16

The majority of jurists, however, wanted to continue the old tradition, and allow the daughter to inherit her patrimony, if there were no son. The Mahābhārata in one place maintains that it would be manifestly unfair and inequitable to allow a subsidiary son to get an inheritance, when there was a daughter to claim it¹. She must at least get half the property, if not the whole². Kauṭilya is also inclined to recognise the daughter as an heir, though perhaps to a smaller share (III, 5).