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Kinship, Caste And Class
Discuss briefly the Mahabharata as a source of social history of the subcontinent from 600 BCE to 600 CE.
Mahabharata does provide us a view into the society of that period. Some of it are:
1. Patriliny- The idea of patriliney can be found in abundance within the epic, for example the very war that the two cousin fought was on the fued of who should get what. Pandavas claimed that they were rightful owner because there father was the rightful ruler enthroned by thier grandfather. Whereas kauravas believed that it was thiers because according to the law their father who was the eldest should have got it. There is no mention of women contending for the throne ever.
2. Varna and the Dharma- We also find ample mention of varna and its dharma. A person should follow what hi or her caste allows. The story of Eklavya, a Nishada is not permitted to learn archery by Drona because of his birth.
3. we also see how some norms are broken for example marriage between the similar caste, Bhima's marriage to Hidimba is one of the example.
4. Kinship ties are also mentioned profusely, where the decision of the elder is never questioned and followed closed eye.
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Define the term patriliny. Give one example.
How was Buddha’s presence shown through symbols? Give two examples.
Describe the position of women with regard to ownership of property in ancient times.
Discuss how access to property sharpened social differences between men and women in ancient times.
What, according to the Dharmashastras, were the ideal occupations for the four varnas? Give one way in which the Brahmanas tried to enforce these norms.
“Brahmanical norms regarding marriage and occupations were not always followed in ancient times.” Give arguments in support of this statement.
Explain why patriliny may have been particularly important among elite families.
Discuss whether kings in early states were invariably Kshatriyas.
Compare and contrast the dharma or norms mentioned in the stories of Drona, Hidimba and Matanga.
In what ways was the Buddhist theory of a social contract different from the Brahmanical view of society derived from the Purusha Sukta?
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