Class 12 History Important Chapter 3 Kingship, Caste and class Early Societies Solutions English Medium As Per The New Syllabus to each chapter is provided in the list so that you can easily browse through different chapters ASSEB Class 12 Elective History Important Solutions in English and select need one. AHSEC Class 12 Elective History Additional Notes Download PDF. HS 2nd Year History Additional Solutions.
Class 12 History Important Chapter 3 Kingship, Caste and class Early Societies
Also, you can read the NCERT book online in these sections Solutions by Expert Teachers as per Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Book guidelines. ASSEB Class 12 History Additional Question Answer are part of All Subject Solutions. Here we have given HS 2nd Year History Important Solutions English Medium for All Chapters, You can practice these here.
Kingship, Caste and class Early Societies (c. 600 BCE 600 CE)
Chapter: 3
| Themes in Indian History Part – I |
| IMPORTANT QUESTION AND ANSWER |
Answer the Following Question:
1. What does ‘gotra’ mean?
Ans: Lineage derived from a common Vedic seer.
2. What is the meaning of ‘varna’?
Ans: Category or class in the Brahmanical social order.
3. Which text discusses the sacrifice of Purusha?
Ans: Rigveda (Purusha Sukta).
4. What role did Sutas perform?
Ans: Charioteers and bards.
5. What is ‘shreni’?
Ans: A trade guild or professional organization.
6. What is meant by patriliny? Why was it considered important in early societies?
Ans: Patriliny refers to a system where descent is traced through the male line, from father to son. It was considered important in early societies because it ensured continuity of property, power, and social status within the male lineage. Most ruling dynasties, especially after the sixth century BCE, followed patriliny to maintain succession and political stability.
7. Describe the role of the Dharmasutras and Dharmashastras in early societies.
Ans: The Dharmasutras and Dharmashastras were Sanskrit texts that laid down norms related to social behaviour, marriage, property rights, and caste rules. They prescribed ideal occupations and roles for different varnas and tried to regulate kinship and marriage practices, mainly from a Brahmanical perspective. These texts reflected the efforts of Brahmanas to assert control over society.
8. Explain the concept of ‘stridhana’ as mentioned in Manusmriti.
Ans: Stridhana refers to wealth given to women at the time of marriage, including gifts from parents and relatives. According to Manusmriti, this wealth belonged exclusively to the woman and could be inherited by her children. It served as her personal property, though Manusmriti advised women not to hoard family wealth without the husband’s permission.
9. Discuss the role of guilds (shrenis) in early Indian society.
Ans: Guilds, known as shrenis, were professional organizations of craftsmen and traders like silk weavers. They regulated production, maintained quality, and sometimes undertook collective activities like temple construction. The Mandasor inscription shows how guild members not only shared a profession but also settled together, contributing to local economies and social structures.
10. Explain the position of Chandalas in the Brahmanical social order.
Ans: Chandalas were considered ‘untouchables’ and placed at the bottom of the Brahmanical social hierarchy. They were assigned polluting tasks such as disposing of dead bodies and were forced to live outside villages. Manusmriti prescribed restrictions on their movement and interactions, reflecting sharp social exclusion.
11. Describe the role of Sutas in early Indian society.
Ans: Sutas were charioteers and bards in early Indian society. They composed and recited stories of kings and warriors, particularly in battles. It is believed that the original stories of the Mahabharata were composed by Sutas, highlighting their role in preserving oral traditions and historical narratives.
12. What is the significance of the Mandasor inscription?
Ans: The Mandasor inscription reveals the migration of silk weavers from Gujarat to Dashapura (Mandasor) and provides insights into guild activities. It describes how these craftsmen lived together, worked collectively, and even contributed to temple construction, reflecting their social and economic importance.
13. What was the role of women in the patrilineal society described in the Mahabharata?
Ans: In patrilineal societies, women were viewed primarily as a means to strengthen kinship alliances through marriage. Daughters were married outside the kin group (exogamy), and they could not claim paternal property. However, they could own stridhana. Their lives were largely controlled to uphold family honour and patrilineal succession.

Hi! my Name is Parimal Roy. I have completed my Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy (B.A.) from Silapathar General College. Currently, I am working as an HR Manager at Dev Library. It is a website that provides study materials for students from Class 3 to 12, including SCERT and NCERT notes. It also offers resources for BA, B.Com, B.Sc, and Computer Science, along with postgraduate notes. Besides study materials, the website has novels, eBooks, health and finance articles, biographies, quotes, and more.


