Which one of the following statements on the issue of ownership according to Smriti literature is not correct?

According to Smriti literature, particularly the Manusmriti, the paternal estate was to be divided equally among sons after the death of the parents [1]. Women were allowed to retain gifts received during their marriage, which were technically termed 'Stridhana' [2]. This wealth was considered the woman's property, and Smriti texts explicitly state that this could be inherited by her children without the husband having any claim or ownership over it [1]. While the husband could use Stridhana in times of extreme distress, he did not have a general right of control or permission over its inheritance by the children [1]. Therefore, the statement claiming that children required the husband's permission to inherit Stridhana is incorrect. Although women had rights over Stridhana, they were generally warned against hoarding family property or their own valuables without the husband's consent [1].

Sources

1. [1] THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Kinship, Caste and Class > 4.1 Gendered access to property > p. 68
2. [2] THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Kinship, Caste and Class > How could men and women acquire wealth? > p. 69