Test: Kinship, Caste And Class- 1 - Humanities/Arts MCQ

• Statement I is true because exogamy (marrying outside one's kin group) was indeed a common practice among high-status families for forming alliances and preventing close kin marriages.

• Statement II is false as the Manusmriti outlined eight forms of marriage, not just one. These included various types that reflected different societal values.

Therefore, Option C is the correct answer, where Statement I is true, but Statement II is false.

- Statement i is correct as the Mahabharata was indeed composed over approximately 1,000 years starting around 500 BCE.

- Statement ii is incorrect; while the project began in 1919, the critical edition was completed after 47 years, thus it was finalized in 1966, not 1919.

- Statement iii is incorrect; patriliny specifically refers to tracing descent through the male line, not from mother to daughter.

- Statement iv is correct, as the critical edition involved collecting manuscripts in various scripts from different regions to document variations.

Thus, the correct statements are i and iv, making Option D the accurate answer.

- Statement i is correct as it reflects the organization of jatis into guilds (shrenis), facilitating social mobility within specific professions.

- Statement ii is also correct because the Mandasor inscription indeed highlights the roles of silk weavers and their communal investments.

- Statement iii is incorrect; it misrepresents the classification of jatis, as Brahmanical authorities adapted their classifications to include new groups rather than applying a uniform standard.

- Statement iv is correct; the story of Ekalavya demonstrates the tensions between established Brahmanical norms and the practices of marginalized communities, showcasing the complexities of social integration.

Thus, the correct answer is Option D, which accurately encompasses the valid statements.

- Assertion: The assertion is true as the social structure in ancient Tamilakam indeed highlighted the importance of wealth sharing among chiefs as a means of establishing status.

- Reason: The reason is also true; Tamil Sangam literature emphasizes the value of generosity, reinforcing that social esteem was linked to sharing rather than mere accumulation of wealth.

- Thus, the reason correctly explains the assertion since the cultural practice of generosity was a foundational element in shaping the social hierarchy in Tamilakam.

Panini was a grammarian from approximately 5th century BC. In the book 'Ashtadhyayi', he described the structure of Sanskrit completely in 3959 aphorisms, or sutras. Ashtadhyayi is one of the earliest known grammars of Sanskrit.

In the Mahabharata, Nishadas are mentioned as tribes that have the hills and the forests their abode. They are linked with a king called Vena who became a slave of wrath and malice, and became unrighteous. Ekalavya was an archer of a Nishada tribe.

The correct answer is:

b) If Assertion is true but Reason is false

Explanation:

• The Mahabharata indeed reflects a blend of historical context and poetic imagination, which makes it difficult to draw direct correlations with archaeological findings. Thus, the Assertion (A) is true.
• However, the Reason (R) is false because the Mahabharata is not strictly a historical account. It contains a mix of mythology, poetic narratives, and cultural reflections, not just historical facts.

• The Mahabharata's content reflects the transition from chiefdoms to kingdoms (event 3).
• Brahmanas began writing down the Mahabharata around the 5th century BCE (event 1).
• B.B. Lal completed the excavation at Hastinapura in the 1950s (event 2).

According to Dharmashastras and Dharmasutras, Brahmanas were supposed to study and teach Vedas, Kshatriyas were to engage in warfare, Vaishyas to engage in agriculture, pastrolism and trade; while Shudras were assigned only to serve the upper three Varnas.

• V.S. Sukthankar led the project for the critical edition of the Mahabharata (1-b).
• Charioteer-bards are credited with the original composition of the Mahabharata (2-d).
• B.B. Lal conducted excavations at Hastinapura (3-a).
• Vyasa is traditionally considered the compiler of the Mahabharata (4-c).