Mitakshara

Mitakshara is an important tradition in Hindu law that explains how property is inherited when someone passes away without a will. It establishes that inheritance passes to all members of a family line (called a coparcenary), with males having a special right to claim a share of the property. The system emphasizes family ties and joint ownership, meaning property is passed down collectively rather than from one individual to another. Developed in medieval India, Mitakshara provides rules for determining who inherits what, aiming to create a clear, structured way to transfer property within Hindu families.