‘But,’ questions Kautilya, ‘how is it possible for good women to know, at least, this fact, that the family of her own kinsmen, consisting of a number of males, is good? It is no offence for women to go to the houses of kinsmen in the circumstances of death, disease, calamities and confinement of women.’

A fine has, however, to be paid by anyone who prevents women from going out in the circumstances mentioned above; for a woman is required to be benignant and helpful. But, if a woman fails in her duty by concealing herself, when her help is demanded elsewhere, she shall forfeit her endowment.8

In inheritance, sons, daughters and sons of inter-caste marriages are accorded a place in the laws of Kautilya. In the absence of a son, the brothers or persons living with the deceased shall take possession of his property. In their absence his daughters born of marriages other than the first four, shall have his property.

If a man has only daughters, and if his marriage has been per formed according to the first four kinds of marriages, the daughters can inherit the property.   Adequate dowry has, however, to be given to, daughters at the time of their marriage.

‘Daughters, too, unmarried, shall be paid adequate dowry, payable to them on the occasion of their marriage’. 9 If there is no heir, the state shall claim the property. The only kind of property, which a king cannot claim, is the Stridhanam, which is given a unique status in Kautilya’s code of law.