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S: Society

1. What were the social classes of Ancient India?
2. What were the roles of men, women and children?
3. What groups have rights and what rights do they have?
4. What groups don't have rights?
5. What were people's daily lives like?

User Takako
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1 Answer

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Answer:

1. Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras. Dalits or untouchables were in the outer social class. (This was something called the Caste System. It was very rigid and difficult to move up a social class. )

2. Men- head of the family, women- protector and teacher for her children, children- obey, respect, and listen to parents

3. Brahmins- free to marry into any varna (mainly the first three)

Kshatriyas- could delegate duties in the absence of the king, marry anybody of any caste, knowledge about the affairs of their kingdom

Vaishyas- right to property (both men and women), improving living standards through providing prospects of profitable economy.

Step-by-step explanation:

1. Brahmins were at the top of the social class. They were priests and teachers. Brahmins were thought to be originated from Brahma's head. (Hindu deity). Next were the Kshatriyas. They were government officials and warriors. They were originated from Brahma's arms. The Vaishyas were artisans, farmers, and merchants, originating from the thighs of Brahma. Shudras were commoners and servants originating from Brahma's feet. Dalits were the outcastes of the social hierarchy pyramid. They were street cleaners and banished/outside of the Caste system.

3. Every group had rights but most were limited to some rights. Brahmins were allowed to marry people from any caste, Brahmin women could not marry shudras. ( Marrying Shudras would lower the priestly status of a Brahmin man). Kshatriyas could delegate tasks in the absence of the king and know about the affairs of their kingdom. Vaishyas had the right to property (women would be able to get property this in case of her husband's death), work and discuss with kingdom administrators to improve living standards through providing prospects of profitable economy. Shudras could work as attendants to others and marry into other castes (Shudra men were only limited to marrying Shudra women while Shudra women could marry into the other castes).

4. The main group that did not have rights were the Shudras. They could not read the Vedas (religious text) and were restricted to few rights. They were seen as impure or unclean, since they must have done wrongful things in their past life, making them a Shudra in the next.

5. Most people would have a tribal type of life, having tribe leaders. Instead of children going to school, they had gurus that would teach them things. Men would storytell, gamble, and fight. Women would take care of her home and her children.

It's a lot, but I hope it helps :)

User Milad Ahmadi
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