Indian Social Structure — Flashcards

Answer

A tribe is one of the earliest identifiable ethnic-cum-social organisations. Tribal life is based on kinship, equality among members, and a common ancestry.

Answer

A tribe is endogamous, which means marriage takes place within the tribe. A clan is exogamous, which means marriage is not allowed within the clan. A tribe can contain more than one clan.

Answer

Major Vedic tribes included the Bharatas, Yadus, Turvasas, Druhyus, Purus, and Anus. The head of a tribe was called Raja or King and was first among equals.

Answer

Dasa varna referred to people outside the Vedic tribes. They were described as having an alien language, dark complexion, and different gods.

Answer

The varna system divided society into four groups: Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Shudra. It developed because of inter-tribal and intra-tribal wars, subjugation of defeated groups, unequal wealth,…

Answer

Brahmanas performed priestly functions, Kshatriyas handled political functions, Vaishyas were mostly agriculturists, and Shudras formed the servile class. The three higher varnas were called dvijas or…

Answer

They were called dvijas because they were entitled to the sacred thread ceremony, also called upanayana. This ceremony marked entry into formal social and religious life.

Answer

Buddhists considered Kshatriyas to be the highest varna, not Brahmanas. Even so, Buddhism could not completely remove the caste system. Buddhist and Jain monastic communities did not have caste hierar…