In the context of ancient Indian society, which one of the following terms does not belong to the category of the other three ?

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Q: 41 (IAS/1996)
In the context of ancient Indian society, which one of the following terms does not belong to the category of the other three ?

question_subject: 

History

question_exam: 

IAS

stats: 

0,298,139,23,72,298,44

keywords: 

{'ancient indian society': [0, 1, 0, 0], 'kula': [0, 1, 0, 1], 'kosa': [0, 1, 0, 0], 'gotra': [0, 1, 2, 0], 'vamsa': [0, 1, 0, 0], 'category': [1, 1, 1, 10], 'terms': [0, 0, 1, 0]}

In the context of ancient Indian society, the term "Kosa" does not belong to the category of the other three terms, namely Kula, Vamsa, and Gotra.

1. Kula: In ancient Indian society, a Kula referred to a clan or a community. It represented a larger social unit that comprised several families who claimed descent from a common ancestor. Kulas played a significant role in determining social relationships, marriage alliances, and group identity within the society.

2. Vamsa: Vamsa, also known as Vamsha, denoted a lineage or a genealogical line. It traced the ancestry and descent of a particular family or individual. Vamsas were essential for maintaining family records, establishing legitimacy, and preserving a sense of heritage and tradition.

4. Gotra: Gotra refers to a clan or a lineage group that traces its descent from a common male ancestor through the male line. In ancient Indian society, individuals belonging to the same Gotra were considered to be part of the same kinship group and were prohibited from marrying within their own Gotra. This practice aimed to maintain genetic diversity and prevent the marriage of individuals who might be closely related.

Now let`s discuss why "Kosa" does not fit within the category of the other three terms:

3. Kosa: The term "Kosa" does not have a direct association with lineage, clan, or genealogy. In ancient Indian society, the term "Kosa" was primarily used to refer to a unit of measurement. It represented a unit of currency or the value of wealth, such as gold or silver. The term "Kosa" was used in various contexts, including economic transactions, taxation, and descriptions of wealth.

Therefore, while Kula, Vamsa, and Gotra are all related to social organization, kinship, and ancestry in ancient Indian society, Kosa stands apart as a term associated with the measurement of wealth or currency.