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Kinship, Caste And Class
“The Dharmasutras and Dharmashastras also contained rules about the ideal occupations of the four categories of Varnas.” Describe different occupations of the four varnas.
In the caste sytem we find that an occupation of a person is prescribed to him by birth itself, there is not merit basis for it, one has to follow what ones caste prescribes you to. Some of the ideal occupation of the catse are as foloows.
1. Brahmanas- Brahmanas were supposed to study and teach the Vedas, perform sacrifices and get sacrifices performed, and give and receive gifts.
2. Kshatriya- Kshatriyas were to engage in warfare, protect people and administer justice, study the Vedas, get sacrifices performed, and make gift.
3. Vaishyas- Study the Vedas, get sacrifices performed, and make gifts in addition they were expected to engage in agriculture, pastoralism and trade.
4- Shudras- Shudras were assigned only one occupation – that of serving the three “higher” varnas.
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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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