Property rights in ancient India | Apastamba Dharmasutras

Dharma comprises of all aspects of appropriate individual and social behavior as required by one's role in society and in keeping with one's identity. The term dharma may be interpreted as "Law", if we do not bind ourselves to its narrow explanation as domestic and unlawful decrees, but take it to consist of all the rules of behavior, including moral and religious conduct, which a community recognizes as requisite on its members.

It seems like modern day societies took some time to recognize equality in property rights. For Apastamba though, there was no place for discussion. According to his sutras, a couple have joint rights over the property. Also, any other claimant needs to be approved in advance by both of them.

He says, "the husband and wife have joint control over their property. With their consent and for their benefit, others also may tend to it." It is interesting, if not astonishing, to learn how our ancestors lived. A quick look at the Dharma Sutras shows us that these people lived in societies which had elaborate systems that ensured smooth functioning of everyday lives of the subjects.

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