TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CASES; LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS; CHAPTER 1; INTRODUCTION; The Joint Family; Different types of Joint Family; Coparcenary; Research Methodology; CHAPTER 2; CONCEPT OF RIGHT BY BIRTH IN ANCIENT INDIA; Right by Birth during Vedic Times; Evolution of Right by Birth; Right by Birth in Mitakshara; Medieval Works after Vijnaneswara; CHAPTER 3; THE CONCEPT OF RIGHT BY BIRTH VIs-A-VIS THE LEGISLATIONS AND JUDICIAL DECISIONS DURING BRITISH RULE; Some Important Judicial Decisions; The Hindu Gains of Learning Act, 1930; The Hindu Woman's Right to Property Act, 1937; The Hindu Succession Act in the Making; CHAPTER 4 THE EFFECT OF HINDU SUCCESSION ACT, 1956 ON THE CONCEPT OF RIGHT BY BIRTH; Section 6 of the Act; Section 8 of the Act; Rights of a Woman to a Dwelling house; Effect of Testamentary Powers on Right by Birth; CHAPTER 5; STATE AMENDMENTS TO THE HINDU SUCCESSION ACT, 1956 AND THE IMPLICATIONS; Objects of the State Amendment Acts; Anomalies in the State Amendment Acts; The Kerala Joint Family System (Abolition) Act, 1975; Extra-Territorial Applicability of the State Amendment Acts; Daughters-in-law as Coparceners? CHAPTER 6 THE HINDU SUCCESSION (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2000; CHAPTER 7 INDIVIDUALISM V. THE JOINT FAMILY SYSTEM; Advantages of Joint Family System; Disadvantages of Joint Family System; Joint Family and Population Problems; Sociological Factors vis-a-vis Joint family system; CHAPTER 8; CONCLUSION; BIBLIOGRAPHY; Articles; Books; Miscellaneous; ANNEXURES; Annexure 'A' - The Hindu Succession (Amendment) Bill, 2000; Annexure 'B' - The Kerala Joint Family System (Abolition) Act, 1975; Annexure 'C' - The Hindu Succession (Andhra Pradesh Amendment) Act, 1986; Annexure 'D' - The Hindu Succcession (Tamil Nadu Amendment) Act, 1989; Annexure 'E' - The Hindu Succession (Maharastra Amendment) Act, 1994; Annexure 'F' - The Hindu Succession (Karnataka Amendment) Act, 1994.