UPSC Exam  >  UPSC Questions  >  Consider the following statements regarding t... Start Learning for Free
Consider the following statements regarding the Later Vedic Period:
1. The later Vedic communities had developed an extensive taxation system.
2. The nobles and warriors could not grant land without the consent of the peasantry.
3. In the religious domain, sacrifices during the later Vedic times could only be performed by the kings.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
  • a)
    1 and 2 only
  • b)
    1 and 3 only
  • c)
    2 only
  • d)
    1, 2 and 3
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
Consider the following statements regarding the Later Vedic Period:1.T...

  • The period that followed Rig Vedic Age is known as the Later Vedic Age. It spanned from c. 1000 - c. 600 BCE.

  • Statement 1 is not correct: The Vedic communities had developed neither a taxation system nor a professional army. There did not exist collectors of taxes apart from the kinsmen of the prince.

  • Statement 2 is correct: The peasantry in the later Vedic times was called bala (force). The army to protect the asvamedha horse comprised both the kshatriyas and the vis. Although the nobles and warriors ruled over heir peasant kinsmen, they had to depend upon peasant militia for fighting against enemies and they could not grant land without the consent of the peasantry. All this placed them in a difficult position and could not sharpen the distinctions between the rulers and the ruled.

  • Statement 3 is not correct: The mode of worship changed considerably in the Later Vedic period.

  • Prayers were recited, but they ceased to be the dominant mode of worship. Instead, sacrifices became far more important. They had both a public and a private character. Public sacrifices involved the king and the whole of the community while private sacrifices were performed by individuals in their houses because in this period the people led a settled life and maintained well-established households. Sacrifices involved the killing of animals on a large scale and especially the destruction of cattle wealth.

  • During the later Vedic period, the emergence of Rajan as the wielder of supreme political power involved his distancing himself from those closest to him - his kinsmen. This distancing was emphasized in ritualized contests such as the chariot race in the vajpeya sacrifice (meant to re-establish a king’s supremacy over his people), and the cattle raid and game of dicing in the rajasuya sacrifice.

  • Other important Vedic rituals:

    (i) Asvamedha: Horse sacrifice meant to establish a king’s supremacy over other kings,

    (ii) Semontonnayam: A ceremony to ensure the safety of the child in the womb,

    (iii) Jatkarma: A birth ceremony performed before the cutting of the umbilical cord.

    (iv) Upanayana: An initiation ceremony to confer status to boys of the higher varnas in their eighth year.


Free Test
Community Answer
Consider the following statements regarding the Later Vedic Period:1.T...
The correct answer is option 'C', i.e., statement 2 only.

Explanation:
1. The first statement is incorrect. The later Vedic communities did not develop an extensive taxation system. In fact, during this period, the economy was primarily agrarian and based on subsistence farming. There was no central authority to collect taxes, and the surplus produced by the peasantry was usually distributed among the members of the community.

2. The second statement is correct. In the later Vedic period, the nobles and warriors could not grant land without the consent of the peasantry. Land was considered a communal resource, and the community as a whole had a say in its distribution. The king or the chief of the community had limited powers and had to take into account the interests of the peasants while making decisions regarding land allocation.

3. The third statement is incorrect. In the religious domain, sacrifices during the later Vedic times could be performed by both the kings and the priests. The priests played a crucial role in conducting the rituals and were well-versed in the hymns and chants. However, the kings also participated in the religious ceremonies and often took on the role of the chief sacrificer.

Overall, statement 2 is the only correct statement among the three given options. The later Vedic period was characterized by a decentralized political structure, with power being shared among the nobles, warriors, and peasants. Land distribution was a collective decision, and sacrifices could be performed by both the kings and the priests.
Explore Courses for UPSC exam

Top Courses for UPSC

Consider the following statements regarding the Later Vedic Period:1.The later Vedic communities had developed an extensive taxation system.2.The nobles and warriors could not grant land without the consent of the peasantry.3. In the religious domain, sacrifices during the later Vedic times could only be performed by the kings.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1 and 2 onlyb)1 and 3 onlyc)2 onlyd)1, 2 and 3Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
Question Description
Consider the following statements regarding the Later Vedic Period:1.The later Vedic communities had developed an extensive taxation system.2.The nobles and warriors could not grant land without the consent of the peasantry.3. In the religious domain, sacrifices during the later Vedic times could only be performed by the kings.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1 and 2 onlyb)1 and 3 onlyc)2 onlyd)1, 2 and 3Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2025 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about Consider the following statements regarding the Later Vedic Period:1.The later Vedic communities had developed an extensive taxation system.2.The nobles and warriors could not grant land without the consent of the peasantry.3. In the religious domain, sacrifices during the later Vedic times could only be performed by the kings.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1 and 2 onlyb)1 and 3 onlyc)2 onlyd)1, 2 and 3Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Consider the following statements regarding the Later Vedic Period:1.The later Vedic communities had developed an extensive taxation system.2.The nobles and warriors could not grant land without the consent of the peasantry.3. In the religious domain, sacrifices during the later Vedic times could only be performed by the kings.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1 and 2 onlyb)1 and 3 onlyc)2 onlyd)1, 2 and 3Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for Consider the following statements regarding the Later Vedic Period:1.The later Vedic communities had developed an extensive taxation system.2.The nobles and warriors could not grant land without the consent of the peasantry.3. In the religious domain, sacrifices during the later Vedic times could only be performed by the kings.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1 and 2 onlyb)1 and 3 onlyc)2 onlyd)1, 2 and 3Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for UPSC. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for UPSC Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of Consider the following statements regarding the Later Vedic Period:1.The later Vedic communities had developed an extensive taxation system.2.The nobles and warriors could not grant land without the consent of the peasantry.3. In the religious domain, sacrifices during the later Vedic times could only be performed by the kings.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1 and 2 onlyb)1 and 3 onlyc)2 onlyd)1, 2 and 3Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of Consider the following statements regarding the Later Vedic Period:1.The later Vedic communities had developed an extensive taxation system.2.The nobles and warriors could not grant land without the consent of the peasantry.3. In the religious domain, sacrifices during the later Vedic times could only be performed by the kings.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1 and 2 onlyb)1 and 3 onlyc)2 onlyd)1, 2 and 3Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for Consider the following statements regarding the Later Vedic Period:1.The later Vedic communities had developed an extensive taxation system.2.The nobles and warriors could not grant land without the consent of the peasantry.3. In the religious domain, sacrifices during the later Vedic times could only be performed by the kings.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1 and 2 onlyb)1 and 3 onlyc)2 onlyd)1, 2 and 3Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of Consider the following statements regarding the Later Vedic Period:1.The later Vedic communities had developed an extensive taxation system.2.The nobles and warriors could not grant land without the consent of the peasantry.3. In the religious domain, sacrifices during the later Vedic times could only be performed by the kings.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1 and 2 onlyb)1 and 3 onlyc)2 onlyd)1, 2 and 3Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice Consider the following statements regarding the Later Vedic Period:1.The later Vedic communities had developed an extensive taxation system.2.The nobles and warriors could not grant land without the consent of the peasantry.3. In the religious domain, sacrifices during the later Vedic times could only be performed by the kings.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1 and 2 onlyb)1 and 3 onlyc)2 onlyd)1, 2 and 3Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice UPSC tests.
Explore Courses for UPSC exam

Top Courses for UPSC

Explore Courses
Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev