Social Science · History

Indian Social Structure

1,850 Questions

Prepare for competitive exams by answering questions on the diverse Indian social structure. Topics include the historical caste system, Vedic political units, and various social reform movements. This hub offers valuable insights into the sociological framework of India.

Caste system dynamicsVedic societySocial reform movementsIndian family structure

Indian Social Structure Questions

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements:

  1. Natives of Andaman-Nicobar islands belongs to Negrito races
  2. Tribes living in Central India belongs to Mongoloid races.
  3. Tribals in the North-East India belongs to the Negroid races.
  4. Indo-Aryans belongs to the Nordic races. Which of the statements given below is/are correct?

  1. 1 and 2

  2. 2 and 3

  3. 1 and 4

  4. 3 and 4
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Statement 1 is correct - Andaman-Nicobar tribes (Great Andamanese, Onge, Jarwa, Sentinelese) are Negrito. Statement 4 is also correct - Indo-Aryans are classified under the Nordic race in traditional racial classifications. Statements 2 and 3 are incorrect - Central Indian tribes are Proto-Australoid, not Mongoloid, and Northeast Indian tribes are Mongoloid, not Negroid.

Multiple choice
Directions: In the following question, four statements are provided. These statements form a coherent paragraph when properly arranged. Select the alternative representing the proper and logical sequencing of these statements.
A. Brahminism because the ethnic religion of India in this period and the caste system got a fresh incentive.
B. However, the caste system had not assumed that rigidity in this period which we associate with it in the Muslim or in the beginning of the British period in respect of inter-marriage, inter-dining and professions?
C. While the foundation stone for the revival of Brahminism was laid in the Sunga, Kanva and Kushan dynasties, its real development came in the Gupta period (300 A.D. - 500 A.D.), the period called the Golden Age of Hinduism or the period of Hindu Renaissance.
D. The prehistoric view that the Sudras should be content merely to become the servants of the twice-born was neither accepted in theory nor followed in practice.

  1. CABD

  2. DABC

  3. CDAB

  4. ADBC
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

C begins the sequence as it introduces the subject of 'Revival of Brahminism in Gupta period'. C is followed by A as 'Brahminism' is the link to both the statements. 'This period' in B refers to Gupta period in C, hence, it follows CA. Thus, (1) is the answer.

Multiple choice

The first type of cooperative societies established in India were

  1. marketing societies

  2. credit societies

  3. housing societies

  4. agriculture societies
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Credit cooperative societies were the first type of cooperatives established in India, starting with the establishment of the first cooperative credit society in 1904 in Maharashtra. These were modeled after the German cooperative system and focused on providing rural credit to farmers, who were exploited by moneylenders.

Multiple choice

The system of tax became most prominent in the period of

  1. Harappan civilisation

  2. Vedic age

  3. Mahajanapadas

  4. Guptas
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The sophisticated system of taxation became most prominent during the Mahajanapadas period (circa 6th-4th century BCE) as these sixteen major kingdoms developed structured administrative systems. Taxes were collected in the form of crops (known as 'bhaga', usually 1/6th of produce), labor services, and crafts. While the Harappan civilization had some trade structures and the Guptas had efficient administration, the formal, systematic taxation reached its peak development during the Mahajanapadas, which laid the foundation for Mauryan fiscal policies.

Multiple choice

What does the term ‘dvija’ mean in reference to the later Vedic period?

  1. A type of tax

  2. Family planning system

  3. Caste system

  4. Kingship system

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

During the later Vedic period, the society had been divided into four main caste divisions - Brahmans, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras. The first three castes were called Dvija, i.e. twice born, but Shudras were deprived of it.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is/are true in reference to the later Vedic period?

  1. In this period, sabha and samiti became stronger.
  2. Women were not permitted to sit in the sabhas.
  3. Capital punishments were abolished.

  1. Only 1 and 3

  2. Only 2 and 3

  3. Only 2

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: With the increase in royal power, the sabha and samiti lost importance. They came under the influence of chiefs and rich nobles. Statement 2 is correct: In the later Vedic period, position of women declined. They were given a lower position in the society. They were considered inferior and subordinate to men. Women could not participate in the political assemblies like sabha and samiti. Statement 3 is incorrect: Capital punishments became prevalent. Theft, robbery, adultery, abduction, killing of man, treachery and drinking intoxicating liquor were offences punishable with death.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are correct in relation to the later Vedic economy?

  1. Cattle rearing was the important occupation of the Aryans.
  2. Later Vedic people domesticated camel, cow, ox, elephant, sheep, horse, goat, donkey and dog.
  3. The number of animals represented the wealth of the people.

  1. 1, 2 and 3

  2. Only 2 and 3

  3. Only 2

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Agriculture was the chief means of livelihood of the later Vedic people. Cattle rearing was second important occupation of the Aryans. They domesticated camel, cow, ox, elephant, sheep, horse, goat, donkey and dog. The number of animals represented the wealth of the people.

Multiple choice

What does the term ‘vish’ mean in reference to the Vedic period?

  1. A tribal unit

  2. A precious element like gold

  3. A type of drink

  4. Illegal relationship
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A rudimentary administrative system was prevalent during the Vedic period. The tribal kingdom (rashtra) contained tribes (jana), tribal units (vish) and villages (grama).

Multiple choice

Why were the Vedas and Upanishads passed down the generations through word of mouth, rather than in writing, during the Vedic period?

  1. Because the Rig Vedic people did not possess the art of writing

  2. Because they believed that message transfer through words eliminates the chance of ambiguity

  3. Because they believed in sitting in front of Gurus and receiving the knowledge

  4. Because they did not have pen, paper, etc. to write
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Rig Vedic people did not possess the art of writing and early literature of Aryans was known to be transmitted orally.

Multiple choice

The conservative Indian culture had a negative impact on society because

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the question that follows:

Men and women are the two wheels of society. If one of the two falls defective, the society cannot make progress. Hence, we need education for the females same as we need it for the males. Female education is highly necessary for the society. Females are the first teachers of the future citizens of the country. If the mothers be ignorant, they cannot take proper care of the children. They cannot infuse good qualities in them. Hence, the very foundation of our people will remain weak. If the females are ignorant, we will lose the services of a powerful part of our society.

Indians are conservative by nature. Their blind faith and age old superstition stood against the female education. Now, people have felt the virtue of female education. They do not hesitate to send their daughters to schools. Now in India we find women professors, lady doctors, lady scientists, lady politicians and lady ministers. But a large number of women are still in dark. They should be educated in the interest of our national progress.

  1. it promoted superstitions and myths

  2. it discriminated against girls and denied them education

  3. it was against modernisation and scientific development

  4. the society could not prosper just on culture
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

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Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

  1. Harappan society had no rulers, and everybody enjoyed equal status.
  2. The people of the Indus Valley Civilisation were among the first to develop a system of uniform weights and measures.

  1. Only 1

  2. Only 2

  3. Both of these

  4. Neither of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Harappan society had no rulers, and everybody enjoyed equal status. Ther was no kingship. The people of the Indus Civilization achieved great accuracy in measuring length, mass, and time. They were among the first to develop a system of uniform weights and measures.

Multiple choice

Which of the following functions was/were performed by the Srenis (traders unions or guilds) during the Gupta period?

  1. Economic functions
  2. Judicial functions
  3. Executive functions

  1. 1, 2 and 3

  2. Only 1 and 3

  3. Only 1

  4. Only 1 and 2
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

During the Gupta period, Srenis (traders unions or guilds) had immense powers. Not only did they perform economic functions but also judicial and executive ones. Some of them even issued seals and coins and had their own militia (called Srenibala, in the Kalachuri inscriptions). Narada and Brihas¬pati smritis lay down the rules for merchants.