Caste and economic status: Step 1, each caste tied to an occupation and status rank; Step 2, missing; Step 3, occupational change becomes easier; Step 4, rich and poor appear in every caste. Identify Step 2.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → In actual practice, economic and social status tended to coincide.
Option (1) In actual practice, economic and social status tended to coincide. — Correct. This is the stage after castes were tied to occupations and ranked. In actual historical practice, caste status and economic status went together, so the high castes were mostly rich and the low castes mostly poor. Steps 3 and 4 then show this close link loosening in modern times.
Option (2) Social and economic status were sharply separated, as the scriptures laid down. — Incorrect. Sharp separation of social and economic status was the scriptural ideal. In actual practice the two went together, and Steps 3 and 4 need such a link to exist before it can grow weaker.
Option (3) Each caste was ranked further within its broad occupational category. — Incorrect. Ranking within each broad occupational category belongs to Step 1, the ranking of castes by social status. It adds detail to the first step and gives no link between caste and wealth.
Option (4) The king was subordinated to the Brahmin in the ritual-religious sphere. — Incorrect. The king's place below the Brahmin in ritual matters is part of the scriptural scheme that kept social and secular power apart. That ideal sits outside this sequence of actual history and change.
NCERT (2026-27): “The Caste System as a Discriminatory System … |