Kinetics of Genetic Kinship as Inferred by Isonymy among the Ahmadiyyas of Kashmir Valley

Document Type

Article

Authors

Lalit K. Kashyap, Delhi University, Delhi, India
S C. Tiwari, Delhi University, Delhi, India

Abstract

Lasker’s method of coefficient of relationship by isonymy has been utilized to elucidate the development of genetic kinship among the Ahmadiyyas a religious sect. In the Kashmir valley, Ahmadiyyas emerged in 1889 after their conversion from Sunni Muslims. Distantly-located Ahmadiyya settlements within the valley formed a small-sized endogamous population. It was expected that genetic exchange (marital alliances) and consequently genetic kinship between the members of the Ahmadiyya settlements would have increased over time. To test this premise, the coefficient of relationship by isonymy (Ri) has been applied to marriages of the last four generations of the Ahmadiyyas. The results reveal an overall increase in Ri values with the passage of time. A probe into the generation-wise marital exchanges occurring among the Ahmadiyya settlements and between the Ahmadiyyas and non-Ahmadiyyas further validates the trends revealed by the method of Ri. The few exceptions to the general trend are explained on the basis of factors such as differential socio-economic status, geographic distance, ecological conditions and topographic settings of the various Ahmadiyya settlements.

Recommended Citation

Kashyap, Lalit K. and Tiwari, S C. (1980) "Kinetics of Genetic Kinship as Inferred by Isonymy among the Ahmadiyyas of Kashmir Valley," Human Biology: Vol. 52: Iss. 2, Article 14.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/humbiol/vol52/iss2/14