Questions for Practice (Write in Notebook)

1. Define a votive inscription.

Ans. The votive inscriptions are those inscriptions that records gifts made
to religious institution. Votive inscriptions are among the oldest
inscriptions. They may express gratitude for victory in a battle. They were
found in a number of cities by the second century BCE.
2. In which years did the most momentous developments in Indian
epigraphy take place?
(a) 1750's (b) 1830's (c) 1840's (d) 1850's
3. Choose the correct option:
Who deciphered, what?
(a) R.E.M. Wheeler recognised it was necessary to follow the stratigraphy of
the mound
(b) John Marshall announced to the world the discovery of a new
civilisation in the Indus valley
(c) James Prinsep, an officer in the mint of the East India Company,
deciphered Brahmi and Kharosthi, two scripts used in earliest inscriptions
(d) Cunningham placed the Harappan seal within the timeframe of the first
cities in the Ganga valley
4. Which of the following century is regarded as a major turning point in
early Indian History and why?
(i) 6th century BCE because it was an era associated with early states and
cities
(ii) 7th century BCE because of the Indus valley civilisation
(iii) 6th century BCE because of use of iron and development of coinage etc.
(iv) 3rd century BCE because of the Indus valley civilisation a
contemporary of Mesopotamian civilisation
Choose one of the following:
(a) (i) and (ii) (b) (ii) and (iii) (c) (iii) and (iv) (d) (i) and (iii)

5. Which of the following statements is not correct about 'mahajanapadas'

and 'ganas' or 'sanghas' during 6th century BСЕ?
(i) Mahajanapadas were ruled by kings
(ii) Both Mahavira and Buddha belonged to 'mahajanapadas'
(iii) 'Ganas' or 'Sanghas' were oligarchies
(iv) 'Ganas' or 'Sanghas' power was shared collectively
Choose the correct option:
(a) (i), (ii) and (iii)
(b) (i), (ii) and (iv)
(c) (i), (iii) and (iv)
(d) None of the above

6. Which of the following was not a cause of Magadha being the most
powerful 'Mahajanapada?
(a) The region was agriculturally productive
(b) Iron mines were accessible
(c) The river Brahmaputra and its tributaries provided means of cheap and
convenient communication
(d) Elephants, an important component of the army, were found in forests
in the region.

7. Which of the following is not true about Rajagaha?

(a) The name Rajagaha means house of the king'
(b) It was the capital of Magadha before Pataliputra
(e) It was a fortified settlement, located amongst hills
(d) The capital was shifted to Rajagaha in the fourth century BCE.

8. Choose the correct option:

Which ruler founded the Mauryan Empire in 321 ВСЕ?
(a) Ajatasatru
(c) Asoka
(b) Bimbisara
(d) Chandragupta Maurya
9. Which of the following was not a contemporary work, to reconstruct the
history of the Mauryan empire?
(i) Greek ambassador Megasthenes 'Indica'
(ii) Arthashastra by Kautilya
( iii) Sanskrit literary works and Puranic literature
(iv) Buddhist and Jaina literature
Choose one of the following:
(a) (i) and (ii) (b) (ii) and (iii) (c) (iii) and (iv) (d)(i) and (iv)
10. Identify the most valuable sources for the reconstruction of Mauryan
Empire.
(a) Inscriptions of Asoka (b) Account of Megasthenes
(c) Arthashastra by Kautilya (d) Sculptures
11. Which of the following did not constitute Asoka's 'dhamma'?
(a) Respect towards elder
(b) Generosity towards Brahmanas
(c) No leniency towards slaves and servants
(d) Respect for religions other than one's own

12. Which of the following was not a provincial centre during the period of
Chandragupta Maurya?
(a) Tosali (b) Taxila (c) Suvarnagiri (d) Hastinapur

13. Find the odd one out.

(a) Girnar (b) Mansehra (c) Sanchi (d) Jaugada
14. Find the odd one out.
(a) Aramaic (b) Greek (c) Brahmi (d) Prakrit

15. The special officers appointed to spread the message of 'dhamma by

Asoka were known as……………
16. ………………………..in the 20th century was regarded as an inspiring
figure by nationalist leaders.
17. Which of the following are true about new kingdoms that emerged in the
Deccan and further South?
(i) Satavahanas ruled over parts of western and central India
(ii) Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas chiefdoms were in present-day Tamil Nadu
(iii) Shakas established kingdoms in the north-western and eastern parts
(iv) Ancient Tamilakam included parts of present-day Andhra Pradesh and
Kerala in addition to today's Tamil Nadu
Choose the correct option:
(a) (i) and (ii) (b) (ii) and (iii)
(c) (iii) and (iv) (d) (i) and (iv)
18. Who adopted the title 'devaputra' or 'son of god'?
(a) Satavahanas (b) Shakas
(c) Kushanas (d) Mauryas
19. Find the odd one out.
(a) The Prayaga Prashasti was composed in praise of Samundragupta
(b) It was composed in Sanskrit by Harishena, the court poet of Samundra
gupta
(c) It gives a vivid chronological account of Samundra gupta's reign
(d) The Prayaga Prashasti is also known as the Allahabad Pillar Inscription

20. Which of the following strategies was not used to increase production
during the Mauryan period?
(a) Shift to iron-tipped ploughshare
(b) Dependence on monsoon rains for cultivation of paddy
(c) Introduction of transplantation for paddy cultivation
(d) Use of irrigation through wells, tanks and less commonly canals

21.Early Tamil literature mentions which different categories of people

living in villages?
(a) large landowners, ploughmen, slaves and 'samantas
(b) large landowners (or 'vellar'), ploughmen (or 'uzhavar') and slaves (or
adimai) , small peasants and large landholders
(c) landless agricultural labourers
(d) gahapati, large landowners and village headmen

22. Choose the correct option:

'Gahapati' was
(a) Owner, master, head of a household.
(b) He exercised control over women, children, slaves and workers.
(c) Status of urban elite including wealthy merchants.
(d) All the above.

23. Which of the following composed the biography of Harshavardhana, the

ruler of Kanauj?
(a) Banabhatta (b) Manusmriti (c) Harishena (d) Megasthenes
24. Prabhavati was daughter of which early ruler in the early Indian
history?
(a) Chandragupta 1
(c) Chandragupta II
(b) Vakataka king
(d) Chandragupta Maurya
25 . Which of the following explains why land grants were made by rulers?
(a) Strategy to extend agriculture to new areas.
(b) Indicative of weakening political power.
(c) Way of winning allies and projecting power.
(d) All the above.
26 . Which of the following people were not beyond the reach of officials or
'Samantas?
(a) Pastoralists (b) Shifting cultivators (c) fisherfolk and hunter-gatherers
(d) farmers/cultivators
27. One of the largest cities in Asia in 4th century BCE.
(a) Rajagaha (b) Pataliputra (c) Vidisha (d) Vaishali
28. Which of the following cities was along land routes?
(a) Pataliputra (b) Puhar (c) Ujjayini (d) Kanauj

29. Choose the correct option:

Guilds or 'Shrenis' were
(a) Organisations of bureaucrats
(b) Organisations of craft producers and merchants
(c) Organisations of 'dhamma mahamattas'
(d) Association of traders, villagers and cultivators
30. The first gold coins in India were issued by which of the following?
(a) Guptas(b) Mauryas (c) Kushanas (d) Parthians
31. The first coins to bear images and names of rulers were issued by:
(a) Parthians (b) Kushanas (c) Indo-Greeks (d) Guptas
 KINSHIP, CASTE AND CLASS
Early Societies (C. 600 BCE-600 CE)

I. SOME IMPORTANT TERMS

1. Adi Parvan: the first section of the Sanskrit version of the Mahabharata
2. Chandalas: untouchables a downtrodden class of people
3. Didactic: something meant for purpose of instruction
4. Dvija: Literally means twice born. A dvija was entitled to wearing the
sacred threadand studying the Vedas. Brahmanas, Kshatriyas and Vaisyas
were entitled but the Shudras were kept out of the group.
5. Gotra: the cow pen or the place where cattle belonging to the whole clan
are kept. But in course of time it signified descent from a common ancestor.
6. Indra: one of the principal deities in the Rigveda, a god of valour, warfare
and rains
7. Jnati: the larger network of kinfolk
8. Kinfolk: blood relation
9. Kinship: a person of the same family
10. Kula: used in Sanskrit to designate families
11. Matriliny: descency traced through the mother
12. Nishadas: people living in forests
13. Patriliny: descency traced from father to son, grandson and so on
14. Puta: a Sanskrit word meaning son
15. Stridhana: literally meaning woman's wealth
16. Tribute: periodical payment made by one prince or state to another, or
by feudatory to the king
17. Vamsha: used in Sanskrit to denote lineage
18. Yajna: A kind of a religious act in which members of a family uttered
vedic mantras before the sacrificial fire. Later priests came to play an
important role in the performance of Yajnas.

Question Answer
Q. 1. Explain why patriliny may have been particularly important among
elite families.
Ans. Patriliny means tracing descent from father to son, to grandson, and
so on. The central theme of Mahabharata describes a feud over land and
power between two groups of cousins- the Kauravas and Pandavas, who
belonged to a single ruling family. The Kurus followed the idea of patriliny.
The ultimate success of the Pandavas shows its significance. Patriliny was
particularly important in elite ruling families as it decided the son's claim
over resources including throne in case of kings, of their fathers, when the
latter died.
Despite variations all ruling families showed a concern for patriliny. Along
with ruling families other elites also showed their concern, as evident in
mantras, in ritual texts like Rigveda. There was great importance given to
sons who were important for continuity.
Q. 2. Discuss whether kings in early states were invariably Kshatriyas.
Ans. Dharmasutras and Dharmashastras compiled between C 500-200
BCE define ideal order in great detail, especially the duties of each caste.
Caste and varnas status was determined by birth.
The Dharmasutras and Dharmashastras contained rules about 'ideal
"occupations" of the four categories or varnas.
As per this the Kshatriyas were to
"engage in warfare",
protect people,
administer justice,
study the Vedas,
get sacrifices performed,
and make/give gifts.
The Dharmasutras and Dharmashastras stated that only Kshatriyas could
be kings.
However, several important ruling lineages had different origins.
(i) Mauryas: Brahmanical texts describe them of being of low origin while
Buddhist texts term them as Kshatriyas.
(ii) The Shungas and Kanvas, the successors of Mauryas were Brahmanas.
(iii) The Shaka rulers were regarded as mlechchhas barbarians or outsiders
by Brahmanas. (But they ruled by force.)
(iv) The Satavahana rulers were Brahmanas.
Thus political power was open to anyone who could muster support and
resources and rarely depended on birth as Kshatriyas.

Q. 3. Compare and contrast the dharma or norms mentioned in the stories

of Drona, Hidimba and Matanga.
Ans. 1. Drona:
(i) Brahmana teaching art of archery reflects divergence from duties
prescribed by the Dharmashastra. Brahamanas were supposed to do
teaching Vedas and to do religious works only. This reflects exceptions to
the Brahamanical norms existed.
(ii) Ekalavya was a forest dwelling nishada. Since he was not a Kshatriya as
per Brahmanical norms, he was refused by Drona, as a pupil.
(iii) This indicates social norms valued birth over merit.
(iv) Further the fact that Ekalavya respected and obeyed Dronacharya who
was just his guru in name (Ekalavya cut his right thumb as per the wishes of
the Brahmana Drona).
This shows the strong teacher-pupil relationship in those times.
2. Hidimba:
(Non-Brahmanical norms)
(i) Man eating non-vegetarian food
(ii) Living in forests
(iii) Woman proposing to man and declaring love
(iv) Marriage not according to varna order
3. Matanga:
As per Brahmanical norms, Matanga also known as chandala lived outside
the city. His presence was regarded as 'polluting' and 'inauspicious'.
Contrary to the then societal norms and varna order prescribed that:
(i) Matanga as chandala, instead of serving the upper varna order; lived on
alms and married out of the varna order (Dittha Mangalika was the
daughter of a vaishya).
(ii) Renounced the world, attained spiritual powers, which as per norms
was the privilege of the Brahmanas.
(CBSE 2009)
Q. 4. 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 Brahmanas explained the four fold varna or caste system, te.
social categories determined by birth and divinely ordained. They often
cited a verse from a hymn in Rigveda to justify the claims called the
Purusha sukta. All the elements of the universe including the four social
categories emanated from his body.
-the Brahmana was born from his mouth, the Kshatriya his arms;
-the Vaishya his thighs; and
-the Shudra from his feet.
This hymn is seen as basis of the four-fold varna system in which the
Brahmanas were ranked on top followed by Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra.
The untouchables were at the bottom of the social order. This theory was
the basis of society; with occupations being prescribed for each caste
forming basis of social order.
In stark contrast the Buddhist theory of social contract provided an
alternative understanding of social inequalities and of institutions required
to regulate social conflicts.
-In Sutta pittaka initially all beings lived in an idyllic state of peace taking
from nature only what they needed for meal.
However, there was a gradual deterioration of this state as human beings
became greedy. This led people to select certain individuals who were to
punish, censure and banish.
• In return for this service the people would give him proportion of rice as
tax.
-Thus the institution of kinship evolved out of human choices with taxes as
forms of payment for services rendered by the king.
-Also an important implication was that if human beings were responsible
for the creation of the system, they could also change it in future.
Q. 5. The following is an excerpt from the Mahabharata, in which
Yudhisthira, the eldest Pandava, speaks to Sanjaya, a messenger:
See NCERT Textbook Page 80 (Copy from that page. Source Based
question)
Try and identify the criteria used to make this list-in terms of age, gender,
kinship ties. Are there any other criteria? For each category, explain why
they are placed in a particular position in the list.
Ans. Apart from the criteria of age, kinship and gender, social standing has
been taken into consideration with regards paying of respect by
Yudhisthira, when speaking to Sanjaya, the messenger.

Notes:
(i) Drona and Kripa-Brahamanas
Reason: varna hierarchy
As shishiya Yudhishthira owed his knowledge to the Gurus.
(ii) Bhishma: Kshatriya; chief of Kuru clan-seniormost in age
Patron and benefactor
(iii) Dhritarashtra: King/Kshatriya
Next in age after Bhishma
(iv) Duryodhana: eldest son of King Dhritarashtra/patriliny Kshatriya
(v) Brothers of Duryodhana
(vi) Kuru warriors
(vii) Vidura: born of a slave woman
(Slaves and women last in varna order)
Low in male hierarchy but higher than the females (gender)
Females:
(viii) Mother Gandhari (ix) Daughters-in-law and young mothers
(x) Daughters (xi) Courtesans
(xii) Slave women (xiii) Children of slave women
Aged:
(xiv) Aged (xv) Maimed and helpless.
Reasons: As per the varna order and patriliny, all males come first followed
by women who were placed lower.
-Gender differences played a key role in early societies: defining social
relations, kinship,access to property and position within household.
-The mother was ranked highest among females due to age.
-The daughters-in-law were placed higher to daughters because they were
seen to belong to the Kuru family as per rules of marriage and gotra.
-The daughters came later because they as per Brahmanical order had no
claims to the father's resource and were seen to belong to the families of
their husbands.
-The children were placed higher to the aged and maimed because the aged
were regarded as unproductive.

Write a Short Essay (about 500 words) on the following:

Q. 6. This is what a famous historian of Indian literature, Maurice
Winternitz, wrote about the Mahabharata: "just because the Mahabharata
represents more of an entire literature and contains so much and so many
kinds of things... (it) give(s) us an insight into the most profound depths of
the soul of the Indian folk." Discuss.
Ans. Mahabharata is a colossal epic running in its present form into over
100,000 verses with a wide range of social categories and situations. It is
one of the richest texts of the subcontinent. It was composed over a period
of about 1000 years beginning from 500 BCE onwards.
Mahabharata's story revolves around two warring cousins the Pandavas
and Kauravas over land and power. The story has been written and
rewritten with certain regional variations. But there are certain common
elements in manuscripts all over the subcontinent from Kashmir and Nepal
in the North; to Kerala and Tamil Nadu in the South. Woven in the great
epic are dominant traditions. Maurice Winternitz has aptly stated
Mahabharata g Insight into the most profound depths of the soul of the
Indian folk"

Examples:

(i) The great war fought at Kurukshetra was to decide the right of claim; but
it also concerna moral duty and right conduct. It shows the ideals of
behaviour of subjects, soldiers religious hermits and people suffering
misfortune.
(ii) The duty taught by Krishna, regarded as an incarnation of Vishnu, to
Arjun, the third Pandava, great battle of Mahabharata, forms the Bhagavad
Gita. It occurs in the sixth book of the epic. Since then, philosophy of the
supremacy of duty, has become the bases of Hinduism, Indian culture and
thought.
(iii) It contains many other popular stories including tales of Nala and
Damyanti, Savitri and Satyawan, Dushyant and Shakuntala.
(iv) The text contains sections laying down norms of behaviour for various
social groups.
(v) Through the story of Drona and Ekalavya, the dominance of the
Brahmanas, idea of guru dakshina abiding by the given word, were
reiterated.
(vi) The story from Adi Parvan of the Mahabharata of the marriage between
Bhima and Hidimba, an outcaste, declaration of love by Hidimba, reflect
there were people who did not strict to the Brahamanical norms.
(vii) Yudhisthira losing his common wife Draupadi in the game of dice
suggests issues of gender, ownership; and how women were treated as
property.
(viii) Draupadi's marriage in the epic to the five Pandavas reflects how
polyandry was practised though discouraged.

Q. 7. Discuss whether the Mahabharata could have been the work of a

single author. (CBSE 2008, 2012)

Ans. The Mahabharata represents one of the richest texts of the

subcontinent. It's a colossal epic running in its present form into over
100,000 verses. It's the longest single poem in the world.
The Mahabharata is traditionally thought to be written by Vyasa but it
could not have been the work of a single author.
Originally, the Mahabharata may have been a description of a local dispute;
over time it acquired a number of episodes (some which were unrelated to
the main story). This clearly indicates how it was not written by a single
person.
The original story was probably composed by charioteer bards known as
sutas who generally accompanied Kshatriya warriors to the battlefields and
composed poems celebrating their victories. These compositions circulated
orally.
Then from 5th century BCE Brahamans took over the story and began to
write it. This was the time when chiefdoms, such as Kurus and Panchalas,
were gradually becoming kingdoms.
The third noticeable phase in the composition of the text is between 200
BCE and 200 CE. This was the period when worship of Vishnu was
growing. Krishna, one of the main figures in Mahabharata, was established
as Vishnu.
Other phase is between centuries 200-400 BCE when didactic sections,
resembling the Manusmriti were added.
In fact the narrative and didactic sections clearly establish the fact that it is
not possible to identify a single author.

Thus the Mahabharata clearly underwent stages of growth.

(i) First it was originally compiled.
(ii) It was mythologised.
(iii) Finally Brahamanised.
Mahabharata reflects different stages of social evolution; from early Vedic
period to later Vedic period. It was composed over a period of 1000 years.

Over centuries, versions of the epic were written in a variety of languages.

Several stories, that originated in specific regions or circulated amongst
people, were added into the epic. At the same time the central story of the
epic was often retold in different ways.
Self Revision
Who composed the original story of the text of Mahabharata? Describe the
various stages through which Mahabharata was completed between the
fifth century BCE and400 C.E. (CBSE 2012)
Who composed the original story of the text of Mahabharata? Describe the
various stages through which it emerged. (CBSE 2013)
What do you know about the authors and the period when Mahabharata
was compiled? Explain. (CBSE 2017)
(CBSE 2013)
Q. 8. How important were gender differences in early societies? Give
reasons for your answer. (CBSE 2011)
Ans. Gender differences played a key role in early societies.
Kinship: Gender defined kinship relations. Mahabharata clearly points to
the prevalence of patriliny tracing descent from father to son, to grandson
and so on. Only in certain rare cases did women have control over
resources, e.g. Prabhavati Gupta.
Marriage: Sons were important for the continuity of patrilineage.
Daughters were viewed differently. They had no claims to the resources of
the household. Marrying them outside the families of the kin was
considered desirable exogamy. The lives of young girls and women,
belonging to families that claimed high status, were often carefully
regulated to ensure they were married at the 'right' time and to the 'right'
person. Kanyadana or the gift of a daughter in marriage was an important
religious duty of the father. The practice of kanyadana still exists
in Hindu society.
The implications of marriage were different for the bridegroom, clearly
illustrated in the mantras from Rigveda chanted during Hindu weddings.
(i) Bridegroom's house became bride's house. She lost all claims on her
father's family.
(ii) One of the wife's main duties was to beget sons for the continuity of
patrilineage.
(iii) She had to make herself worthy of getting husbands' love. The system,
arranged marriage system which was acceptable and considered as good
marriage while the ones which involved the bride and groom choosing their
was own partners were condemned.
Gotra: The gotra was a Brahmanical practice of classification of people.
Women were expected
to give up their fathers' gotra and adopt that of their husbands on marriage.
Mother: One of the most respected roles of the woman was as a mother.
Example: The Satavahana rulers were identified through metronymics
(names derived from that of the mother).
But the succession to the throne was patrilineal in case of Satavahanas also.
The Mahabharata attests to gender differences. It describes how Gandhari,
mother of the Kauravas, made one last appeal to son Duryodhana not to
fight the war with the Pandavas. However, Duryodhana did not listen. This
shows the fact that mother in early Indian societies unlike father, who
headed the household, had little decision-making powers and her advice
was not binding upon the children.
Another instance in Mahabharata is that of Draupadi. Yudhisthira, in a
game of dice, lost her. This clearly suggests the mindset of early societies
that wives could be treated as the property of their husbands.
Gendered Access to Property: According to Manusmriti, the paternal
estate was to be divided equally amongst sons after the death of the parents
with special share for the eldest, Women could not claim a share of these
resources.
However, women were allowed to retain the gifts received on the occasion
of their marriage as stridhana. This could be inherited by their children
without the husband having any claim to it. Simultaneously, Manusmriti
warned women against hoarding family wealth or owning valuables without
the husband's permission.
Manusmriti prescribes different ways for men and women to acquire
property. An overview of the two ways clearly indicates that the only way a
woman could acquire wealth was through 'other' mostly men as token of
affection or benevolence.These were wealthy women such as the Vakataka
queen Prabhavati Gupta. But money was generally controlled by men.
Thus gender differences played an important role in early societies. It
defined kinship relations, rules of marriage, gotra, position within
household, ownership and access to property. In all the above dimensions
women were at a disadvantaged position vis-à-vis men.
These rules and system are still prevailing in most of the sections of Hindu
society.

Q. 9. Discuss the evidence that suggests that Brahmanical prescriptions

about kinship and marriage were not universally followed. (CBSE 2009)
or
"Brahmanical norms regarding marriage and occupations were not always
followed in ancient times." Give arguments in support of the statement.
(CBSE 2008, 2012)
Ans. There is evidence to suggest that the Brahmanical prescriptions of
kinship and marriage were not universally followed.
The first example of exception is the four forms of marriage mentioned in
the Dharmashastras and Dharmasutras as not regarded as good. It is
possible that these were practised by those who did not accept Brahmanical
norms.
According to the Shastras, only Kshatriyas could be kings. However, several
ruling lineages had different origins, e.g. Shakas who came from central
Asia were regarded as mlechchhas, by Brahmanas.
The best known ruler of the Satavahanas dynasty, Siri-Satakani, claimed to
be Brahmanas, whereas according to Brahmanas, kings ought to have been
Kshatriyas. They claimed to be upholder of the varna order, and that there
was no intermarriage amongst members but at the same time he entered
into marriage alliances with the kin of Rudradaman, the Shaka ruler, the
people who were supposed to be excluded from the system.
The Brahmanical order prescribed exogamy as opposed to endogamy in
marriage. But it is apparent from several inscriptions of Satavahana rulers
that they practised endogamy as some of the women belonged to the same
gotra.
Moreover, contrary to the Brahmanical orders some women who married
Satavahana rulers retained names of their father's gotras (Gotama and
Vasistha) instead of names of their husbands gotras.

Though the Satavahana rulers practised patrilineal system of succession to

the throne, they were identified through metronymics.
The biggest exception to the Brahmanical rules were the followers of
Buddhism and Jainism. In Buddhism kinship relations were based on
human choice rather than scriptural rules.

Map Work
Q. 10. Compare the map in this Chapter with Map 1 in Chapter 2. List the
mahajanapadas and cities located near the Kuru-Panchala lands.
Ans. Please attach a map ( attach map in notebook ) given in this chapter .
Some cities near the mahajanapadas and cities located near the Kuru-
Panchala lands are: Indraprastha, Mathura.Some mahajanapadas:
Matsya, Shurasena

For Practice

- Identify any two occupations to be performed by Kshatriyas as

per varna order. (CBSE 2017)
Define the system of exogamy. Give one reason for adopting it.
-"The Mahabharata is a good source to study the kinfolk's values of ancient
times." Justify with suitable examples.
-Describe how, according to Manusmriti, paternal estate was to be divided
after the death of the parents with special reference to rights of women.
(CBSE 2011)
-Describe the 'ideal of patriliny' and 'gendered access to property prevailing
during sixth century BCE to sixth century CE. (CBSE 2019)
-What were the rules of gotra as given in Brahmanical practice? Give some
example to show that these rules were not always followed. (CBSE 2013)
-Describe the evidences that suggest that Brahamanical prescription about
kinship and marriages were not universally followed during the ahabharata
era. (CBSE 2013, 2017)