Descent theory is one of the most influential approaches in the anthropological and sociological study of kinship. It explains how individuals trace their ancestry through a recognized line of descent and how this shapes social organization, inheritance, authority, and group identity. In the context of North India, descent theory has been widely applied to understand the structure and functioning of kinship systems, particularly in rural societies where lineage and family relationships play a central role in social life. North Indian kinship is predominantly patrilineal, meaning descent is traced through the male line. A child belongs to the father's lineage, inherits the father's family name, property, and social status, and continues the paternal lineage. Descent theory helps explain why the father-son relationship is considered the foundation of family continuity. Sons are expected to perform religious rituals for ancestors, inherit family property, and provide support to parents in old age. Daughters, after marriage, become members of their husband's family and lineage, reflecting the importance of patrilineal descent. The concept of lineage is central to descent theory. A lineage consists of individuals who trace their ancestry from a common male ancestor through known genealogical links. In North India, lineages often regulate inheritance, marriage, political authority,