We 'n' Our Society - 6.pdf - School Books Publishers India

not charged in terms of money while Gurudakshina was given by thestudents?5. What was the Varna System?Ans. The Vedic society was divided into four Varnas :1. Brahmins – The scholars and teachers, who performed all thereligious ceremonies, also had the knowledge of natural herbs.2. Kshatriyas – The rulers and warriors.3. Vaishyas – Agriculturists, craftsmen and the traders.4. Shudras – Perfomed manual jobs. They served the three otherclasses.F. Long answer questions :1. Who were Indo-Aryans? Where did they come from?Ans. The Aryans were a semi-nomadic partoral race, from central Asia,who came to new areas in search of new pastures. Some of themmigrated to Europe. Those who came to India were called Indo-Aryans.2. Name the sources available for Vedic period.Ans. The available sources which tells about the Vedic period are :Vedic literature, pottery, tools, jewellery, plant seeds and animalbones, etc.3. Describe the family system of the Vedic people. What position didthe women enjoy in the Vedic Age?Ans. The Aryans lived in a joint family system which included all the bloodrelations. The family was called 'Kula'. The oldest male memberheaded the family. He is called 'Grihapati'. All the family members hadto accept his decisions.The women had a place of honour in the houses. There presence wasessential in all religious ceremonies. They were educated too. Theyhad a right to choose their partner which is proved by the practice of'Swayamvar'.4. Name the four Vedas. What is the importance of the Vedas?Ans. The word 'Veda' mens Knowledge. The Vedas are four in number :1. The Rigveda – It was recited and heard rather than read. It wasfirst composed and printed only about 200 years back.2. The Samveda – It is concerned with 'Upasana communicationwith God'.3. The Yajurveda – It is generally called the book of 'sacrificialprayers'. It lays down the procedures for various ceremonies andrituals.4. The Atharvaveda – It chiefly deals with special customs,manners, magic and witchcraft, and medical science.It ranks as the oldest book of Indian Medicine.5. List the archaeological finds from Inamgaon. What do they tell usabout the people who lived there?Ans. 134 Mud houses have been excavated at Inamgaon. One man wasfound buried in a large four legged clay jar. A granary was also found.45Horizon Press We 'n' Our Society – 6