KULINISM

in Hinduism, caste and marriage rules said to have been introduced by Raja Vallala Sena of Bengal (reigned 115869); the name derives from the Sanskrit word kuli na, of good family. Hypergamy (marrying a bride of a lower caste) was allowed for the top three castes. Brahmansmembers of the highest-ranking Hindu castewere divided into 36 mels, or groups, that could not intermarry. Within a mel each partner had to be of the same generation in descent from a common ancestor according to specially kept lists. This produced in time a shortage of approved husbands in the top group and led to polygamy, with a husband sometimes having 50 wives or more, most of whom he neither saw nor maintained. The custom was attacked by reformers in the 19th century and has since died out.