Hi Everyone!! This article will share The Vedic Age Questions & Answers.
In my previous posts, I have shared The Vedic Age Objective Type Questions & Answers so, make sure to go through this post as well.
The Vedic Age Questions & Answers
Question 1: How did the Aryans enter our country?
Answer: The Aryans entered India through the Khyber Pass.
Question 2: Where did the Aryans settle first?
Answer: The Aryans first settled in the Sapta-Sindhu region, that is, the region of seven rivers.
Question 3: Who were dasyus?
Answer: Dasyus were the indigenous inhabitants, who later after a conflict with Aryans became Dasas (slaves) of the Aryans and called Sudra.
Question 4: What does the Vedic literature include?
Answer: The Vedic literature includes all four Vedas – Epics (Ramayan, Mahabharata), the Samhitas, the Brahmanas, the Upnishads, the Aryanakas as well as Upvedas.
Question 5: What does the Rig Veda contain?
Answer: It is a collection of hymns.
Question 6: What forms Atharva Veda?
Answer: It is a collection of spells and charms.
Question 7: Into how many parts is each Veda divided? Name them.
Answer: Each Veda is divided into four parts and they are the Samhitas, the Brahmanas, the Upanishads, the Aranyakas.
The Vedic Age Questions & Answers
Question 8: What is Mahabharata?
Answer: The Mahabharata is the longest poem made up of almost 100,000 couplets – about seven times the length of the Iliad and the Odyssey combined. It is divided into 18 parvas, or sections.
Question 9: Why was the Early Vedic period also known as the Rig Vedic Age?
Answer: The Early Vedic period also known as Rig Vedic Period because the Rig Veda was composed at this time.
Question 10: What were the Upanishads?
Answer: The Upanishads are the philosophical commentaries on the Vedas.
Question 11: Who were known as Indo-Aryans?
Answer: According to many historians, Aryans were a group of people who migrated from Central Asia. As their population grew, they were compelled to leave their original home in search of new shelters and new grazing land. They wandered in different locations. Those who migrated to India came to be known as Indo-Aryans.
Question 12: Briefly explain the characteristics of the Early Vedic Period and the Later Vedic Period pottery.
Answer: The Grey Ware and the Painted Grey Ware pottery belonging to the Early Vedic Period were discovered at different sites such as Bhagwanpura, Dadheri, Nagar and Katpalan in Punjab and Haryana. The archaeological sources include axes made up of iron and other iron weapons belonging to the Later Vedic Period. Four types of pottery have been associated with the Later Vedic Period – Black and Red Ware, Black Slipped Ware, Painted Grey Ware and Red Ware.
Question 13: How did the condition of women change during the Later Vedic period?
Answer: The position of women started deteriorating in the Later Vedic Period. Women could not inherit or own properties. Women were employed in dyeing, embroidery and basket making sectors. Their earnings were, however, credited to their father or husband.
The Vedic Age Questions & Answers
Question 14: Give reasons:
(a) The Vedic literature is an important source of history.
Answer: The Vedas are known as storehouse of knowledge as they contain information on political, social, economic, religious and cultural life of the Aryans. The Vedas are written in Sanskrit. The Vedas were the first oral traditions that were passed down from generation to generation for several centuries.
(b) Women had greater honour and authority during the Early Vedic Period.
Answer: Women were given a certain amount of freedom in selecting their husbands. Monogamy was the usual practice. Women controlled household affairs and participated in the sacrifices and other domestic ceremonies and feasts. Probably, there was no seclusion of women and no restrictions on their movements. The practice of widow remarriage was noticed. There have been no examples of child marriage and the marriageable age was around 16-17 years. The education of girls was not neglected. Some of them composed hymns and rose to the ranks of seers such as Visvavara, Ghosha, and Apala.
Question 15: Discuss the features of caste system that prevailed during the Later Vedic Period.
Answer: The caste system became rigid. Mobility or change of occupation was not allowed. The occupation of a person was based on the caste he was born. The Brahmans were at the apex of the social ladder followed by the Kshatriyas and the Vaishyas. The Shudras were at the lowest rung of the social ladder and regarded as impure. They were not allowed to take part in religious ceremonies. Inter caste marriages not allowed.
Question 16: What changes were made in economic life of the people during Vedic period?
Answer: The improvement in the quality of and size of plough as well as the use of manure lead to an increase in agricultural production. There was a rise in the variety of occupations such as charioteers, fisherman, jewellers, washermen, dyers, cooks, astrologers, barbers, musicians and smiths.
Question 17: Write a short note on the religious conditions during the Vedic period.
Answer: Early Vedic Period – The Aryans worshipped different forces of nature as gods and goddesses.
Indra – the King of Gods
Agni – the God of fire
Surya – the Sun God
Varuna – the God of water
Vayu – the God of wind
Usha – the Goddess of dawn were worshipped.
Prayers were recited in the praise of these gods in the open air.
Later Vedic Period
The Early Vedic gods lost their importance; while the Trinity – Brahma, the creator, Vishnu, the preserver and Shiva, the destroyer-became the important gods. The mode of worship became complex. Religion became materialistic. Elaborate rituals and sacrifices were performed.
Question 18: Give reasons:
(a) Cow was regarded as the standard of value.
Answer: One of the most important means of living was cattle-breeding. The cow was regarded as the standard of value. Wealth and prosperity depended upon the possession of a number of cows. Animals such as horses, sheep, goats, dogs and donkeys were also domesticated. Agriculture and hunting were also practised. Trade was carried on by barter system. Rig Vedas mention artisans such as weaver, leatherworker and potter.
(b) The Vedas are known as a store house of knowledge.
Answer: The word Veda means knowledge. The Vedas are known as storehouse of knowledge as they contain information on political, social, economic, religious and cultural life of the Aryans.
Question 19: Differentiate between political life in the Early Vedic Period and Later Vedic Period.
| Political life in the Early Vedic Period | Political life in the Later Vedic Period |
| 1) The tribal chief was the ruler or the king. | The Raja or Adhiraja ruled over the kingdoms. |
| 2) Rajana looked after the affairs of the tribe with the help of other tribal members and two tribal assemblies i.e. Sabha and Samiti | With the increase in royal power the sabha and samiti lost their importance. |
| 3) Women were allowed to participate in the proceedings of the assembly. | Women were no longer permitted to sit in the sabhas. |