Kinship, Caste and Class Important Question & Answer | History Class 12 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

Q1. Critically examine the duties as laid down in Manusmriti for the chandalas.
Ans: The Manusmriti outlines specific duties for the chandalas, which include:

• Living outside the village.
• Using discarded utensils.
• Wearing clothes made from the dead and ornaments of iron.
• Disposing of bodies of those without relatives.
• Serving executioners.
• Not walking in villages and cities at night.

Chinese Buddhist monk Fa Xian noted that "untouchables" had to sound a clapper in the streets to alert others of their presence. Similarly, another monk, Xuan Zang, observed that executioners and scavengers were forced to live outside the city. Historians have examined non-Brahmanical texts to understand whether chandalas accepted their prescribed degradation. While some accounts align with Brahmanical texts, others suggest different social realities.

Q2. In what ways was the Buddhist theory of a social contract different from the Brahmanical view of society derived from the Purusha sukta.
Ans: The Buddhist theory of a social contract differs from the Brahmanical view derived from the Purusha Sukta in several key ways:

• Four Varnas: The Brahmanical view establishes four social classes: Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras.
• Supremacy of Brahmanas: In this hierarchy, Brahmanas are considered the highest class.
• Rejection of Birth-based Status: Buddhists do not accept the idea that one's social status is determined by birth.
• Social Flexibility: Buddhism acknowledges social differences but views them as changeable rather than fixed.

Q3. Why Mahabharata is considered a colossal epic?
Ans: The Mahabharata is regarded as a colossal epic for the following reasons:

1. Length: With over 100,000 verses, it is one of the longest epics in the world.
2. Timeline of Composition: Its creation spanned around 1,000 years, beginning approximately in 500 BCE.
3. Oral Tradition: Some stories within the epic were likely shared orally even before the written compilation.
4. Central Narrative: The epic focuses on the conflict between two groups of warring cousins, offering a compelling storyline.
5. Social Commentary: It includes sections that detail social norms and behaviors for different groups in society.
6. Character Depth: The characters often embody these norms, adding complexity and depth to the narrative.

Q4. What were three strategies adopted by the Brahmins for enforcing Social norms?
Ans: The Brahmins developed several strategies to enforce social norms:

• They claimed that the varna order was of divine origin.
• They advised kings to ensure these norms were followed in their kingdoms.
• They promoted the idea that a person's status was determined by birth.

These strategies were often supported by stories from texts like the Mahabharata, reinforcing their messages.

Q5. How new jatis were grouped?
Ans: New groups, such as those living in forests like the nishadas, were classified as jatis by Brahmanical authorities when they encountered them or needed to name occupational categories that did not fit the fourfold varna system. Examples include:

• Occupational categories like goldsmith or suvarnakara.
• Jatis sharing a common occupation were sometimes organised into shrenis or guilds.

While records of these groups are rare, some inscriptions, like one from the fifth century CE in Mandasor, provide insights into their histories.

Q6. Explain different social dimensions propounded by historians from the central episode of Draupadi’s marriage in the Mahabharata
Ans: One of the most challenging episodes in the Mahabharata is Draupadi's marriage to the Pandavas, which exemplifies polyandry and is central to the narrative. Various interpretations of this event have been proposed:

• Historical prevalence: Some historians argue that polyandry may have been common among ruling elites at some point.
• Decline in favour: Over time, polyandry fell out of favour among the Brahmanas, who revised the text through the ages.
• Perception of polyandry: The practice may have seemed unusual or undesirable from a Brahmanical perspective, despite its prevalence in the Himalayan region.
• Context of crisis: Others suggest that a shortage of women during warfare contributed to the rise of polyandry, indicating a response to crisis.
• Literary choice: Early sources imply that polyandry was not the only or most common form of marriage, but its association with key characters in the Mahabharata serves narrative purposes rather than reflecting social realities.

Q7. The Mahabharata is a good source to study the social value of ancient times. Prove it.
Ans: The Mahabharata serves as a valuable resource for understanding the social values of ancient India through various aspects:

• Detailed descriptions of societal norms and practices.
• Emphasis on patrilineal succession, highlighting the importance of male lineage.
• Connection between caste and occupation, illustrating social roles.
• In-depth portrayal of the caste system and its interrelations.
• Evidence of a patriarchal society, showcasing male dominance.
• The practice of Kanyadan, viewed as a significant duty of fathers.
• Various types of marriage customs were documented.
• Influence of elders in decision-making and social hierarchy.

Q8. How important were gender differences in early societies? Give reasons for your answer.
Ans: Gender differences were significant in early societies for several reasons:

• Patriliny: Family lineage was traced from father to son.
• Marriage Rules: Daughters had no rights to their father's resources.
• Gotra Expectations: Women were required to abandon their father's gotra upon marriage.
• Preference for Sons: There was a common desire for male offspring.

Q9. How rules of marriage were followed in early societies?
Ans: Marriage rules in early societies were influenced by the need for continuity in family lineage. Here are some key points:

• Sons were valued for continuing the family line, while daughters were often married into other families.
• The practice of kanyadana, or giving a daughter in marriage, was seen as a significant religious duty for fathers.
• Social codes were detailed in texts known as the Dharmasutras and Dharmashastras, with the Manusmriti being the most notable.
• These texts recognised eight forms of marriage, with the first four deemed "good" and the rest condemned.
• Women were expected to adopt their husband's gotra upon marriage, while marriage within the same gotra was prohibited.
• In some cases, women retained their father's gotra name, indicating alternative practices like endogamy, or marrying within the kin group.
• Polygynous marriages were common among some rulers, fostering close-knit communities.

Q10 : What were the key marriage practices in ancient Indian society?
Ans: Marriage practices in ancient Indian society were regulated to maintain social order and ensure alliances between families. The key practices included:

1. Exogamy: Marrying outside one’s kin group was common, particularly among high-status families, to strengthen alliances and prevent close kin marriages.
2. Control over Women’s Marriages: Young girls and women from high-status families were closely monitored to ensure they married at the appropriate time and to a suitable match.
3. Concept of Kanyadana: The gifting of a daughter in marriage (kanyadana) was considered a significant religious duty for the father.
4. Diverse Forms of Marriage: Various forms of marriage were recognized, such as:
   • Arranged Marriages: Marriages arranged by families to ensure compatibility and alliances.
   • Voluntary Unions: Based on mutual consent and affection.
   • Capture-Based Marriages: Marriages involving abduction, reflecting a practice in some communities.
5. Social Norms: Marriage practices often reflected the values of the time, emphasizing familial alliances, societal roles, and religious duties.