Final answer:
The term defining marriage within one's own caste is endogamy, a common practice in the traditional Hindu caste system, though legally inter-caste marriages are allowed under the Hindu Marriage Act of 1955.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term that defines marriage within your own caste only is known as endogamy. This practice is common in various cultures and social systems around the world, including the traditional Hindu caste system.
In the context of the Hindu Marriage Act enacted in India in 1955, the law allows for inter-caste and inter-religious marriages by deeming all Jains, Buddhists, Sikhs, and Hindus able to legally intermarry. However, cultural practices often uphold endogamous marriages, where individuals marry within their own caste, in accordance with societal norms and expectations.
While the Act facilitates legal provisions for marriage regardless of caste, many still follow the custom of endogamy, reflecting long-standing social traditions and moral duties prescribed by their community.