This document discusses social structures and changes in early Indian societies as depicted in the Mahabharata epic. It describes the editing process of the Mahabharata text led by V.S. Sukthankar that collected, compared, and compiled Sanskrit manuscripts. The text then summarizes sections on kinship and marriage norms, the emergence of towns and social life, and the jati and varna systems and gender roles. It also notes archaeological findings by B.B. Lal and characteristics of the Mahabharata as a literary work.