Ch - 3 Important Questions

1. Identify any two occupations to be performed by Kshatriyas as per varna order. (All India 2017)

2. Identify any two strategies evolved by Brahmanas to enforce the norms of varna order from C 600 BCE to 600 CE. (All India 2017)

3. State whether gender differences were really important in the early societies from C 600 BCE to 600 CE. (All India 2017)

   1. Yes, it is seen in early societies that gender differences were important. Societies were generally patrilineal i.e. the succession of property and power will be transferred from father to son. Daughters were married outside and they did not have claim in father's wealth.

   2. Sons were considered important for the continuity of the family and also desired for religious and social rituals.

   3. While men were allowed to earn wealth by work, discovery, succession, gifts, exploration, trade, winning, Women were allowed only to retain the gifts they received on the marriage ceremony.

   4. although there are examples of Prabhavati Gupta who not only had inherited the throne of her father and husband, but also donated land grants from her private property.

   5. Satavahana rulers used their Mother’s Gotra with their names. It seems like mothers were Important but the succession was on patrilineal line only.

   6. In other words, gender differences between men and women were sharpened due to unethical and biased rules.

4. Mention the rules about classification of people in terms of ‘gotra’ under Brahmanical practice around 1000 BCE onwards. (Delhi 2012)

5. How did Brahmanas develop a sharper social divide? Give two examples. (HOTS; All India 2012)

6. Mention one of the most challenging episodes in the Mahabharata. (Delhi 2009) Draupadi Marriage – Many explanation by the author

7. Mention two ideal occupations of Brahmanas according to Dharmashastras. (Delhi 2009)

8. Explain the language and content of Mahabharata. (All India 2017)

9. Explain how you will prove that the text of Mahabharata was a dynamic one. (All India 2017)

10. What do you know about the authors and the period when Mahabharata was compiled? Explain. (All India 2017)

11. Describe the various stages through which Mahabharata was completed between the 5th century BCE and 400 CE? Delhi 2012

12. What evidences do we get from the Satavahana inscription regarding the inheritance of gotra? Explain. (All India 2014

13. Critically examine the duties as laid down in ‘Manusmriti’ for the Chandalas. (HOTS: Delhi 2011)

14. Describe how, according to Manusmriti, paternal estate was to be divided after the death of the parents with special reference to the rights of women. (All India 2011)

15. “The Dharmasutras and Dharmashastras also contained rules about the ideal occupations of the four categories of varnas.” Critically examine the statement. (HOTS, All India 2009)

16. Describe the position of the untouchables in ancient society. (All India 2008)

17. Describe the various stages through which Mahabharata was compiled in the 20th century. (Delhi 2008)

18. What are the rules of gotra as given in Brahmanical practice? Give some example to show that these rules were not always followed. (Delhi 2013)