Later Vedic Age
Review Exercise
I. Fill in the blanks.
1. In the Later Vedic Period, people migrated from the Sapta Sindhu region and settled down in the Ganga-Yamuna doab.
2. The two epics Ramayan and Mahabharat were written in the Later Vedic Period.
3. The varna system which was occupation based in the Early Vedic Period became hereditary in the Later Vedic Period.
4. Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva were the trio of gods that assumed great importance in the Later Vedic Age.
5. Iron tools were used in agriculture during the Later Vedic Period.
6. Kingship became hereditary in the Later Vedic Period.
7. Through the Asvamedha yajna the king extended his control over all the areas where the royal horse ran uninterrupted.
8. Pastoral was the primary occupation during the Early Age which was replaced by agriculture in the Later Vedic Period.
9. The Later Vedic Age also known as the period of second urbanisation, the first one being Harappan Civilization.
10. The Vajapeya yagna was performed to restore the strength of a middle-aged king and to raise him from the status of a raja to samrat.
11. In the Grihastha stage, man was supposed to marry and lead a family life.
12. The Brahmans and Kshatriyas enjoyed more privileges than the other two varnas.
13. The popular assemblies called Sabha and Samiti lost their importance in the Later Vedic Period.
II. Choose the correct option.
1. The _______ yajna was performed at the time of the coronation of the king and it conferred supreme power on him.
a. Asvamedha. [ ]
b. Rajasuya. [✓]
c. Vajapeya. [ ]
d. Vanaprastha. [ ]
2. The Early Aryans who had settled in the Sapta Sindhu region moved eastwards and occupied the ________ doab in the Later Vedic Age.
a. Jhelum-Chenab. [ ]
b. Ravi-Sutlej. [ ]
c. Indus-Beas. [ ]
d. Ganga-Yamuna. [✓]
3. A special type of pottery called _______ is associated with the Later Vedic Age.
a. Painted Blue Ware. [ ]
b. Painted Grey Ware. [✓]
c. Painted Green Ware. [ ]
d. Painted Black Ware. [ ]
4. The student at the gurukul paid a voluntary contribution to the teacher in the form of _______ .
a. gurudakshina. [✓]
b. Vajapeya. [ ]
c. Grihastha. [ ]
d. Vanaprastha. [ ]
5. _________ is an epic which gives us information about the Vedic Period.
a. Puranas. [ ]
b. Upanishads. [ ]
c. Brahmanas. [ ]
d. Mahabharat. [✓]
III. Answer the questions.
1. What are the different sources for the study of Later Vedic Age?
= The different sources for the study of Later Vedic Age are as of the following -
i) Literary sources :- The three later Vedas - Samveda, Yajurveda and Atharvaveda - were composed during the Later Vedic Period. The Brahmans, Aranyakas and Upanishads were also composed during this age. This period is also known as the Epic Age since the two great epics - the Ramayana and the Mahabharat - were written during this period. All these sources provide valuable information regarding the Later Vedic Period.
ii) Archaeological sources :- Archaeological excavations were conducted in a few regions of Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. The archaeologists and historians studied the remains of found at these sites and concluded that iron was used during the Later Vedic Period.
2. Which new areas were occupied by the Later Vedic people?
= The Later Vedic texts reveal that during this period people moved eastwards from the Sapta-Sindhu area and started settling in western Uttar Pradesh and Ganga-Yamuna doab. They set up kingdoms in Kosala and Kasi.
3. How were women treated in the Later Vedic Period?
= In the Later Vedic Period, women were regarded inferior to men and their primary duty was to take care of their families. Widow remarriage which was permitted earlier was not encouraged any more. Women, however, were allowed to participate in religious ceremonies.
4. How was the varna system of the Later Vedic Period different from the Early Vedic Period?
= During the Later Vedic Period, the classification of the society into four varnas became rigid.
❐ The varna became rigid and it was determined by the birth of an individual rather than his occupation. For example, the son of a Brahmin would always be a Brahmin.
❐ Inter-mingling and dining between the varnas was not permitted.
❐ The Brahmans and the Kshatriyas enjoyed more privileges than the other two varnas.
❐ The Vaishyas constituted the common people. They were engaged in agriculture, cattle breeding, trade and industry.
❐ The Shudras were meant to serve the other three classes. They were deprived of education and ownership of property.
5. Compare the importance of agriculture in the Early Vedic and Later Vedic periods.
= The Early Vedic people were semi-nomadic and pastoral. The Later Vedic people gradually transformed into a settled agricultural society. The use of iron tools helped in the spread of agriculture. The chief crops cultivated were barley, wheat and rice. Beans and oil seeds were grown. Various kinds of lentils were also produced.
6. What was gurukul?
= In the Later Vedic Period, education was important through institutions known as the gurukul. The student stayed with his guru along with other students. Different subjects were taught, such as science, mathematics, astronomy, astrology, grammar, ethics and law.
7. What were the four ashrams of the Later Vedic Age.
= Towards the end of the Later Vedic Period, we find the mention of four ashrams or stages of life.
i) Brahmacharya(first stage) :- In this stage, man received education by studying the Vedas.
ii) Grihastha(second stage) :- In this stage, man was supposed to marry and lead a family life.
iii) Vanaprastha(third stage) :- In this stage, man had to sped his life as hermit in meditation.
iv) Sanyasa(fourth stage) :- It is the last stage when man renounces worldly ties and aims at salvation.
8. How did religious practices change in the Later Vedic Period?
= The gods of the Early Vedic Age lost their prominence and a trio of gods emerged as the supreme ones. These included :
❐ Brahma who was the creator,
❐ Vishnu who was the preserver, and
❐ Shiva who was the destroyer.
Female deities like Lakshmi, Durga, Kali and Parvati were also worshiped.
Scarifies and complex rituals became the dominant modes of worship. Both public and domestic sacrifices were performed. Religion now became more expensive because of the sacrifices. They could be performed without the priests. This elevated the position of the priestly class.
Public sacrifices, such as Asvamedha, Rajasuya and Vajapeya, were performed by the king.
9. Write a short note on the family structure that prevailed during the Later Vedic Period. How was it different from the Early Vedic Period?
= The family structure underwent a change during the Later Vedic Period.
❐ Family became more and more patriarchal. People desired the birth of a son.
❐ The head of the family enjoyed the right to disinherit his son.
❐ Male ancestors were also worshipped.
❐ In comparison to the earlier period, the position of women declined. They were not allowed to participate in the assemblies.
❐ Women were regarded inferior to men and their primary duty was to take care of their families.
❐ Widow remarriage which was permitted earlier was not encouraged any more.
❐ Women, however, were allowed to participate in religious ceremonies.
10. Explain how jana became janapadas in the Later Vedic Period.
= The tribal structure of the Early Vedic Age gave way to large kingdoms. The people of a jana settled down in territories to carry out agriculture. These territories were called janapadas. The dominant tribe became the name of the territory. For example, Panchala was the name of a tribe but now it became the name of the area where the people of the Panchala had settled down.
11. What impact did the Vedic culture have on the Indian subcontinent?
= The Vedic culture had a lasting impact on India.
❐ It sowed the seeds of the culture that we know today as Hinduism. the core of Hinduism is derived from the Vedas and the Upanishads.
❐ Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, the gods who were worshipped during the Later Vedic Period, became an integral part of Hinduism.
❐ Vedic literature and Snaskrit language united people with common cultural ties.
Over the years Hinduism grew and evolved as a philosophy including within itself the religious beliefs of both the Harappans and the Vedic people.
12. Compare the position of women during the Early and Later Vedic Period.
= During the Early Vedic Period, women enjoyed equal status with men. On the other hand, the position of women declined and rights were curtailed.
13. Describe the occupation of the people during the Later Vedic Period.
= The main occupation of the people witnessed a change in the Later Vedic Period.
❐ The use of iron tools helped in the spread of agriculture. The chief crops cultivated were barley, wheat and rice. beans and oil seeds were grown. Various kinds of lentils were also produced.
❐ Cattle rearing was also practised.
❐ Many new crafts emerged during this period. the Vedic texts mention artisans, carpenters, leather workers, jewellers, dyers and potters. Weaving was also practised. A special type of pottery called the Painted Grey Ware (PGW) is associated with the Later Vedic People.
❐ Trade began in a rudimentary form. People used barter system to trade. the traders belonged to the Vaishya caste.
14. Name the three yajnas that were performed by kings during the Later Vedic Age.
= The three yajnas that were performed by kings during the Later Vedic Age are - Asvamedha, Rajasuya and Vajapeya.
❐ The Rajasuya yajna was performed at the time of the coronation and it conferred supreme power on the king.
❐ The Asvamedha yajna extended the king's control over all the areas where the royal horse ran uninterrupted.
❐ The Vajapeya yajna was believed to restore the strength of a middle-aged king and to raise him from the status of a raja to a samrat.
IV. Explain the main points of difference between Early and Later Vedic ages.
1. Occupation.
= The main occupation of the people witnessed a change in the Later Vedic Period.
❐ The use of iron tools helped in the spread of agriculture. The chief crops cultivated were barley, wheat and rice. beans and oil seeds were grown. Various kinds of lentils were also produced.
❐ Cattle rearing was also practised.
❐ Many new crafts emerged during this period. the Vedic texts mention artisans, carpenters, leather workers, jewellers, dyers and potters. Weaving was also practised. A special type of pottery called the Painted Grey Ware (PGW) is associated with the Later Vedic People.
❐ Trade began in a rudimentary form. People used barter system to trade. the traders belonged to the Vaishya caste.
2. Position of women.
= ❐ Women were regarded inferior to men and their primary duty was to take care of their families.
❐ Widow remarriage which was permitted earlier was not encouraged any more.
❐ Women, however, were allowed to participate in religious ceremonies.
3. Political structure.
= The tribal structure of the Early Vedic Age gave way to large kingdoms. The people of a jana settled down in territories to carry out agriculture. These territories were called janapadas. The dominant tribe became the name of the territory. For example, Panchala was the name of a tribe but now it became the name of the area where the people of the Panchala had settled down. As the janapadas developed the power and prestige of the kings also increased.
❐ Kingship became hereditary.
❐ The increased royal power was displayed by performing public yajnas.
❐ The popular assemblies - sabha and samiti - lost their importance.
❐ Taxes were introduced. They became a source of regular income.
❐ Officers were appointed to collect taxes.
❐ Special officers were appointed who helped the king in administration. These officers were under the king's control and were maintained about of the taxes collected from the people.
V. State whether true of false.
1. The position of the king became hereditary in the Later Vedic Age. [T]
2. The Later Vedic Period worshipped forces of nature. [F]
3. Male ancestors were worshipped during the Later Vedic Age. [T]
4. The Asvamedha yajna helped to extend the territory of the king. [T]
5. Sabha and Samiti played a very important role in the political affairs of the state. [F]
VI. Match the columns.
=
|
1. Vishnu |
a. the destroyer. [2] |
|
2. Shiva |
b. are occupied by the Later Vedic people. [3] |
|
3. Ganga-Yamuna doab |
c. the last stage of a man’s life. [5] |
|
4. Gurukul |
d. the preserver. [1] |
|
5. Sanyasa |
e. institution of education. [4] |