Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

History

Chapter

Ancient India: Kinship, Caste and Class

Question:

According to the dialogue between Avantiputta and Kachchana based on the 'Majjhima Nikaya', what was the main point they discussed regarding the varnas (castes)?

Options:

Shudras should be considered superior to all other castes.

The four varnas were treated equally when a Shudra became wealthy.

Brahmanas and Kshatriyas were believed to be the purest caste, while others were considered impure.

None of the above

Correct Answer:

The four varnas were treated equally when a Shudra became wealthy.

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option 2 - The four varnas were treated equally when a Shudra became wealthy.


The Wealthy Shudra:
This story, based on a Buddhist text in Pali known as the Majjhima Nikaya, is part of a dialogue between a king named Avantiputta and a disciple of the Buddha named Kachchana. While it may not be literally true, it reveals Buddhist attitudes towards varna.

Avantiputta asked Kachchana what he thought about Brahmanas who held that they were the best caste and that all other castes were low; that Brahmanas were a fair caste while all other castes were dark; that only Brahmanas were pure, not non-Brahmanas; that Brahmanas were sons of Brahma, born of his mouth, born of Brahma, formed by Brahma, heirs to Brahma.

Kachchana replied: “What if a Shudra were wealthy … would another Shudra …or a Kshatriya or a Brahmana or a Vaishya … speak politely to him?” Avantiputta replied that if a Shudra had wealth or corn or gold or silver, he could have as his obedient servant another Shudra to get up earlier than he, to go to rest later, to carry out his orders, to speak politely; or he could even have a Kshatriya or a Brahmana or a Vaishya as his obedient servant.

Kachchana asked: “This being so, are not these four varnas exactly the same?” Avantiputta conceded that there was no difference amongst the varnas on this count.