Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

History

Chapter

Ancient India: Kinship, Caste and Class

Question:

Match the following Varna in List 1 with the role prescribed to them in Dharmasutras and Dharmashastras in List 2:

List- 1 (Varna)

List- 2 (Prescribed role)

(A) Shudras

(I) Protect people & administer justice

(B) Vaishyas

(II) Serve the three higher varnas

(C) Kshatriyas

(III) Engage in agriculture & pastoralism

(D) Brahmanas

(IV) Perform sacrifices & get sacrifices performed

Options:

A)- I, (B)- III, (C)- IV, (D)- II

A)- II, (B)- III, (C)- I, (D)- IV

A)- I, (B)- II, (C)- IV, (D)- III

A)- IV, (B)- II, (C)- I, (D)- III

Correct Answer:

A)- II, (B)- III, (C)- I, (D)- IV

Explanation:

The Dharmasutras and Dharmashastras also contained rules about the ideal “occupations” of the four categories or varnas:

Brahmanas were supposed to study and teach the Vedas, perform sacrifices and get sacrifices performed, and give and receive gifts.

Kshatriyas were to engage in warfare, protect people and administer justice, study the Vedas, get sacrifices performed, and make gifts.

The last three “occupations” were also assigned to the Vaishyas, who were in addition expected to engage in agriculture, pastoralism and trade.

Shudras were assigned only one occupation – that of serving the three “higher” varnas.