History & Civics
Answer
The Aryans influenced the socio-economic structure in ancient India in the following ways:
- Social Life:
- In the Rig Vedic period, society was tribal and patriarchal, with women enjoying higher status and participation in social and religious activities.
- By the Later Vedic period, women’s status declined. The men, specially Kshatriyas became more powerful. The Varna system became rigid, dividing society into Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras. The Ashrama system guided life stages, from education to spiritual practices.
- Economic Life:
- Agriculture remained the main occupation, with improvements in irrigation and ploughs. Cattle domestication was vital, especially cows, which symbolized wealth.
- Trade grew, and guilds emerged. Towns like Ayodhya and Indraprastha developed towards the end of the Later Vedic period.
Related Questions
Give one important feature of the economic activity during the Rig Vedic Civilisation.
What makes the Epics an important source for understanding ancient Indian values?
With reference to the early Vedic literature, explain the following:
(a) From which root word is the term 'Veda' derived?
(b) Why is the Rig Veda regarded as the "first testament of mankind"?
(c) How many mandalas are there in the Rig Veda?
(d) Explain how Rig Vedic hymns were preserved and transmitted through generations.
Read the following excerpt and answer the questions that follow:
"The Upanishads contain two basic principles of Indian philosophy viz., karma and the transmigration of soul, i.e., rebirth based on past deeds. According to these texts real happiness lies in getting moksha i.e. freedom from this cycle of birth and re-birth."
(Source :https://www.nios.ac.in/media/documents/SrSec315NEW/315HistoryEng/315HistoryEng_Lesson4.pdf)
(a) Explain concepts like Karma, Maya, and Mukti.
(b) Highlight their relevance in contemporary philosophy.