Read the following excerpt and answer the questions that follow:

"Despite the presence of some women philosophers and the references to a few queens participating in the coronation rituals, women were considered subordinate to men, and were not involved in any major decision making."

(Source : https://egyankosh.ac.in/bitstream/123456789/64790/1/BLOCK%203.pdf)

(a) What changes occurred in the status of women from the Rig Vedic to the Later Vedic period?

(b) Despite the decline in status, what rights or practices still honoured women during the Later Vedic period?

(a) By Later Vedic period, status of women had degraded as compared to their status in the Rig Vedic period. They had lost their position both in the religious, political and social fields. They were prohibited from actively participating in the affairs of the state. The kings and the nobles now began to keep several wives. Birth of a daughter was regarded as an unfortunate event.

(b) Despite this decline, certain rights and practices still honoured women during the Later Vedic period:

1. Women from higher families continued to receive education.
2. Women of higher classes could participate in rituals and choose their husbands through svayamvara.