Short Question Answer Section 1
Question 1: What was Brahmavarta?
Ans: Brahmavarta was the original homeland of the Aryans mentioned in the Rigveda. It was the region between the rivers Saraswati and Drishadvati, considered a sacred land where the Vedic civilization first developed.
Question 2: What were Janas?
Ans: The early Aryans were divided into tribes called Janas.
Question 3: What were the chief duties of a Rajan?
Ans: The Rajan fought wars not for acquiring territories but for protecting and acquiring cattle, especially cows, and prayed for the welfare of his tribe.
Question 4: What was Bali?
Ans: The people offered food and voluntary tributes called Bali to the Rajan.
Question 5: Who were Gramani and Grihapati?
Ans: The village headman was called Gramani and the head of the family was called the Grihapati.
Question 6: What were the chief curbs on the Rajan’s authority?
Ans: The chief curbs on the Rajan’s authority were that kingship was not hereditary in this period, and tribal assemblies like Sabha and Samiti performed administrative, political, and judicial functions.
Question 7: Discuss the four-fold division of early Vedic society.
Ans: The four-fold division of early Vedic society was based on division of labour. Those who performed Yajnas, studied the Vedas and imparted education were called the Brahmins. The warriors who fought wars and defended the country were called Kshatriyas. Farmers, craftsmen, merchants and traders were called Vaishyas. Manual workers who served the first three classes and mainly did physical labour were called the Shudras.
Question 8: Discuss the position of women in the early Vedic period.
Ans: Women enjoyed an important position in the period. They attended assemblies and performed sacrifices. Some important women like Ghosha, Apala and Gargi are said to have composed hymns. Widows were allowed to remarry.
Question 9: What do you know about the economic life of the early Aryans?
Ans: The early Aryans had a mixed economy, i.e., they practiced pastoralism and agriculture. Cattle rearing played an important role because cattle were considered wealth. The animals domesticated were cows, goats, sheep and horses. The Aryans knew how to cultivate different crops by using oxen. There are references to yava or barley in the Rig Veda. They also knew about different seasons.
Question 10: Discuss the gods worshipped in the early Vedic period.
Ans: Nature influenced all aspects of Aryan life including religion. The early Aryans therefore worshipped the forces of nature as gods and goddesses. Indra, the god of rain, and Varuna, the god of the sky, were popular gods. Other gods worshipped were Surya, the sun god, and Agni, the god of fire. On special occasions, people performed Yajnas.
Short Question Answer Section 2
Question 11: What is the chief source of information about the later Vedic period?
Ans: Our chief sources of information on the later Vedic period are, besides the three Vedas, the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Question 12: To which region did the Aryans shift in the later Vedic period?
Ans: The literary sources tell us that the Aryans in this period shifted towards the Gangetic Valley. Kosala, Kashi and Videha emerged as important power centres.
Question 13: How was the political organization of the later Vedic period different from that of the early Vedic period?
Ans: In the later Vedic period, the king became more powerful and kingship became hereditary. In comparison to the rulers of the early Vedic period, the king of the later Vedic period wielded greater authority. The Sabha and Samiti, which had important positions during the early period, were abolished in the later period. The voluntary tributes of the early Vedic period gave way to regular taxes paid to the kings.
Question 14: What enabled the kings in the later Vedic period to appoint more officers?
Ans: The assurance of regular taxes enabled the king to appoint many officers. Along with Purohita, Senani and Gramani, we get references of officers like Bhagadugha (tax collector) and Samgrahitri (royal treasurer).
Question 15: Who was Bhagadugha?
Ans: Bhagadugha was the tax collector.
Question 16: Discuss the caste system in the later Vedic period.
Ans: The social fluidity of the early Vedic period gradually faded away. The four-fold division of society got crystallized. The classes gradually transformed into castes, and birth determined a person’s caste. Intermarriage between different classes was discouraged and later prohibited.
Question 17: Was the position of women in the later Vedic period similar to that in the early Vedic period? Give one reason.
Ans: No, the position of women in the later Vedic period was not the same. The family became increasingly patriarchal, girls were considered a source of misery and were married off early. Women ceased to attend assemblies.
Question 18: Name the four ashramas. What do they denote?
Ans: The four ashramas are Brahmacharya, Grihastha, Vanaprastha and Sannyasa.
- Brahmacharya: Stage of education under a Guru.
- Grihastha: Stage of family life after marriage.
- Vanaprastha: Stage of retiring to the forest and meditation.
- Sannyasa: Stage of renunciation, giving up all worldly ties.
Question 19: During which stage did an Aryan settle down in marriage?
Ans: The Aryans settled down in marriage during the second stage called Grihastha, where he led a family life.
Question 20: What do you understand by the Gurukul system of education?
Ans: In the later Vedic period, the Gurukul system evolved. Aryans sent their sons to Gurukuls, which were the residences of Gurus usually in secluded areas. Students lived with the Guru’s family and received education orally. Besides Vedic literature, secular subjects like mathematics, law, grammar, logic and astronomy were taught. No fees were charged, but students gave Guru Dakshina after completion of education. They also did routine chores such as gathering fuel, tending cattle, etc., and were taught humility by begging for alms.
Short Question Answer Section 3
Question 21: State one important change in the field of agriculture during this period.
Ans: One important change in agriculture was the introduction of the iron ploughshare, which helped in preparing the soil at a deeper level, especially useful in the clayey soil of the Gangetic region.
Question 22: Discuss the rise of art and craft in this period.
Ans: The use of iron led to the development of numerous crafts. Blacksmiths created tools that contributed to carpentry, tanning, weaving, and metalwork. Other allied crafts also flourished.
Question 23: Write about trade in the later Vedic period.
Ans: With the rise of new crafts, rudimentary trade developed. Literary sources mention merchants organized into guilds. Nishka, believed to be a coin, was used as a medium of exchange.
Question 24: Discuss the religious life of the Aryans in the later Vedic period.
Ans: Religion became more complex with elaborate rituals and animal sacrifices. The early Vedic gods lost importance, while new gods like Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma gained prominence. Rama and Krishna were worshipped as incarnations of Vishnu. Philosophical doctrines like Mukti, Karma and transmigration of the soul also developed.
Question 25: Why is this period regarded as important in Indian history?
Ans: The Vedic Age of the Aryans is important because there was definite growth in social and political organization. Developments in this period left an indelible mark on the social, economic, religious and political life of the people of India.
Reference to the Context/Long Question Answers
Question 26: “Aryans had a full-fledged political organization.” In this context, discuss:
a. Political organization of the early Aryans
The early Aryans were divided into tribes or Janas. The chief of the tribe was called Rajan. He was selected by the tribe and ruled according to their wishes. He fought wars not for territories but to protect cattle, especially cows, and for the welfare of his people. People offered voluntary tributes (Bali) to him. A Jana comprised several villages (Grama). The village headman was called Gramani and each family was headed by a Grihapati. The Rajan was assisted by the Purohita (priest) and Senani (commander). However, kingship was not hereditary, and assemblies like Sabha and Samiti performed political and judicial functions.
b. Were there any changes in this structure during the later Vedic period?
Ans: Yes, several changes occurred. The tribal kingship of the early Vedic period gave way to territorial monarchy. Kings now ruled over territories, not tribes. The Sabha and Samiti lost importance. The king gained greater authority and kingship became hereditary. Kings adopted high-sounding titles like Adhiraja and Samrat. They also performed elaborate sacrifices like Rajasuya and Ashvamedha to establish supreme power.