The word Gotra occurs for the first time in

The word Gotra occurs for the first time in Rigveda. In Hindu society, the term gotra is commonly considered to be equivalent to a clan. It broadly refers to people who are descendants in an unbroken male line from a common male ancestor or patriline.

Generally, the gotra forms an exogamous unit, with the marriage within the same gotra being prohibited by custom, being regarded as incest.