Statement 1 is not correct:The institution of gotra did not emerge during the Early Vedic period but became significant in the Later Vedic period. Early Vedic society was more egalitarian and kinship-based, whereas the Later Vedic period saw increasing social stratification, including the formalization of gotras.
Statement 2 is correct:The term gotra referred to a lineage or clan tracing descent from a common ancestor, usually a revered sage (rishi). Families belonging to the same gotra were considered to share a common paternal lineage.
Statement 3 is correct:Gotra exogamy was a strict social norm, meaning people were prohibited from marrying within their own gotra to maintain genetic diversity and prevent inbreeding. This rule was an essential aspect of marriage regulations in Vedic society.
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