4. Hindu Succession Act of 1956 The Hindu Succession Act passed in 1956 enlarged the estate in property possessed by a Hindu woman, and entitled her to hold the property as a full owner and not as a limited owner. The Act is valid on any property possessed by a female Hindu, whether acquired before or after the commencement of the Act. In addition, under this Act the inherited property passes to the inheriting female's heirs as if it had been her acquired property.

"Property" is defined as including:

"both movable and immovable property acquired by inheritance or devise or, at partition, or in lieu of maintenance or arrears of maintenance, by gift from any person, whether a relative or not, before, at or after her marriage, or by her own skill or exertion, or by the purchase or by prescription, or in any other manner whatsoever, and also as any such property held by her as Stridhan immediately before the commencement of this Act. (Sub-section 1). Nothing contained in Sub-section 1 shall apply to any property acquired by way of gift or under a will or any other instrument or under a decree or order of civil court or under an award where the terms of the gift, will or other instrument or the decree, order or award prescribe a restricted estate in such property. (Sub-section 2)."

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