Total History and Civics Class 9 ICSE Morning Star Solutions<\/a>. Here we have given.Total History and Civics Class 9 ICSE Morning Star Solutions Chapter 2 The Vedic Period.<\/p>\nEXERCISES<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nI. Short Answer Questions.<\/strong><\/p>\nQuestion 1.<\/span><\/strong>
\nWhat is meant by Vedic culture ?
\nAnswer:<\/strong><\/span>
\nVedic culture involves the culture of Aryans settlements along Indus, Yamuna and Ganga rivers. Early Vedic Period is concerned to the Indus Valley (1500 – 1000 BC). Later Vedic Period (1000 – 500 BC), is related to Yamuna-Ganga Doab culture. The early period was also known as iron age or tribal age and the later age is connected to the development of agriculture along Yamuna-Ganga basin.<\/p>\nQuestion 2.<\/span><\/strong>
\nWhy was the Early Vedic Literature known as Shruti ?
\nAnswer:<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe Early Vedic Literature was known as \u2018Shruti\u2019, because it was conveyed by the God to the great sages by hearing (by \u2018Shravan\u2019) and so it was called \u2018Shruti\u2019.<\/p>\nQuestion 3.<\/span><\/strong>
\nName the four Vedas and state what the hymns in each Veda deal with ?
\nAnswer:<\/strong><\/span>
\n(a) The Rig Veda :<\/strong> It is the oldest religious text in the world. It contains 1028 hymns divided into 10 mandalas. The hymns are dedicated by the sages to the Gods. Much of the Indian philosophy is based on the Rig Veda. It also contains the famous \u2018Gayatri Mantra\u2019.
\n(b) The Sama Veda :<\/strong> It contains 1875 hymns, some of which are borrowed from the Rig Veda. These hymns were sung at the time of the sacrifice by the priests. These are sweet song or \u2018the melody\u2019.
\n(c) The Yajur Veda :<\/strong> It deals with rituals or the hymns recited during the performance of Yajnas. These are 2086 hymns.
\n(d) The Atharva Veda:<\/strong> It contains 731 hymns dealing with magic and charm. The hymns deals with the power of ghosts, spirits, gyan, karma and upasana.<\/p>\nQuestion 4.<\/span><\/strong>
\nWhat are the Upanishads ?
\nAnswer:<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe Upanishads are philosophical commentaries on the Vedas.These form the basic source of Indian philosophy. These were composed between 1000 BC 800 BC by different sages, they are said to form the foundation on which later additions to Vedic Literature rest.<\/p>\nQuestion 5.<\/span><\/strong>
\nWhat are the Dharmashastra ? Name one Dharmashastra.
\nAnswer:<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe law-books called the Dharmasutras and the Samritis together with their commentaries are called Dharamashastras. Manusmriti, which gives the description of Hindu code of law is a Dharmashastra.<\/p>\nQuestion 6.<\/span><\/strong>
\nWhat is known as Bhagwad Gita ?
\nAnswer:<\/strong><\/span>
\n\u2018Bhagwad Gita\u2019 is the compilation of the text, teachings imparted by Lord Krishna to Arjun explaining the importance of\u2018Karma\u2019 or duty, immortal soul, the right way of life. It also includes the glimpse of Mahabharata battle. It is a sacred book of Hindus.<\/p>\nQuestion 7.<\/span><\/strong>
\nMention the importance of the Epics as a source of information about the Aryans.
\nAnswer:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n- The Epics serve as the main source of information on the political institutions and the social and cultural organisation of the Epic Age.<\/li>\n
- They provide information on the various Aryan Kingdoms, about their army and the weapons they used during the period.<\/li>\n
- pics reveal the high ideals of family life of the Aryans.<\/li>\n
- The Bhagwad Gita one of the Great Epics of the world elaborates the Karma philosophy and the immortality of the soul.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Question 8.<\/span><\/strong>
\nWhich battle is known as the Mahabharata ?
\nAnswer:<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe battle fought between \u2018Kurus\u2019 or \u2018Kauravas\u2019 and \u2018Pandus\u2019 or \u2018Pandavas\u2019 along the battlefield of \u2018Kurushetra\u2019 is known as the \u2018Mahabharata\u2019.<\/p>\nQuestion 9.<\/span><\/strong>
\nName the period during which the Aryans began to settle in India.
\nAnswer:<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe Aryans settled down in India between (1500-500 BC) i.e. Along Indus valley in Early Vedic Period (1500-1000 BC and Along Yamuna-Ganga basin in Later Vedic Period (1000-500 BC)<\/p>\nQuestion 10.<\/span><\/strong>
\nWhat are known as the Varnashramas ? Name them.
\nAnswer:<\/strong><\/span>
\nThere were four Varnashramas, e.g. Brahmacharya (upto 25 years), Grihastha (25-50 years)Vanaprastha (50-75 years) and Sanyasa Ashrama (75-100 years).<\/p>\nQuestion 11.<\/span><\/strong>
\nWhat was known as the \u2018Sapta Sindhu\u2019 ?
\nAnswer:<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe Indus basin was known as the \u2018Sapta Sindhu\u2019 or the land of seven rivers, namely Sindhu (Indus), Ravi, Beas, Satluj, Jhelum, Chenab and Saraswati.<\/p>\nQuestion 12.<\/span><\/strong>
\nHow did trade become a pivot around which the life of the people revolved ?
\nAnswer:<\/strong><\/span>
\nDuring the Later Vedic Age, trade became quite prominent; so the settlement or the towns and cities developed around the main trade centers. Thus, the city life moved according to the activities associated with the trade.<\/p>\nQuestion 13.<\/span><\/strong>
\nState the difference in the position of women between the Early Vedic and Later Vedic Age.
\nAnswer:<\/strong><\/span>
\nDuring the Early Vedic Period women were respected. The institution of marriage had become sacred. The daughters were given freedom to choose their husbands. In the Later Vedic Period, there was significant decline in the status of women. Their participation in Yajnas was not considered necessary. They did not enjoy the right to property. Man\u2019s opinion were respected. As a result the freedom to choose the husbands by women was curtailed.<\/p>\nQuestion 14.<\/span><\/strong>
\nName the four ashrams into which the human life span was divided, indicating the time span for each.
\nAnswer:<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe four ashrams are Brahmacharya, Grihastha, Vanaprastha and Sanyasa.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Brahmacharya Ashrama :<\/strong> It lasted upto the age of 25 years. During this period, the pupil was expected to acquire knowledge in the gurukul and observe strict discipline.<\/li>\n
- Grihastha Ashrama :<\/strong> During this period, man was supposed – to marry and raise a family. This period lasted from the age of 25 to 50 years.<\/li>\n
- Vanaprastha Ashrama :<\/strong> It lasted from the age of 50 to 75 years. During this period man was expected to retire from worldly life and acquire spiritual and philosophical knowledge.<\/li>\n
- Sanyasa Ashrama :<\/strong> The last stage lasts from the age of 75 to 100 years. This was the period of renunciation.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Question 15.<\/span><\/strong>
\nState briefly the change that occurred in the position of the Brahmins in the Later Vedic Age.
\nAnswer:<\/strong><\/span>
\nIn the Later Vedic period, Brahamins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras became four distinct castes or Varnas. The Brahmins or the priests performed religious rituals. During the Later Vedic Age, the caste system become rigid. The Brahmins enjoyed more privileges. The priests came to be considered as Gods on earth.<\/p>\nPRACTICE QUESTIONS<\/strong><\/p>\nQuestion 16.<\/span><\/strong>
\nGive one point of difference between the Early Vedic Period and Later Vedic Period.
\nAnswer:<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe tribal stage of Early Vedic Period shifted to the settled pattern of life in Later Vedic Period. One family system was changed to joint family system.<\/p>\nQuestion 17.<\/span><\/strong>
\nName two important duties of a King in the Later Vedic Period.
\nAnswer:<\/strong><\/span>
\nTwo important duties of a King in the Later Vedic Period included \u2018Rajsuya Yajna\u2019 at the time of coronation and \u2018Ashvamedha Yajna\u2019 to expand his realm. The another main duty of a king was to protect his territory.<\/p>\nQuestion 18.<\/span><\/strong>
\nName the important officers appointed by the King to carry on his administration.
\nAnswer:<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe important officers appointed by the King were Gramins (officer in charge of village affairs), Purohita
\n(performing religious ceremonies) and Senani (Commander of army).<\/p>\nQuestion 19.<\/span><\/strong>
\nName the two yajnas performed by the King.
\nAnswer:<\/strong><\/span>
\nTwo main yajnas performed by the King were \u2018Rajsuya Yajna\u2019 (at the time of coronation) and \u2018Ashvamedha Yajna\u2019 (to improve the power of the realm).<\/p>\nQuestion 20.<\/span><\/strong>
\nWhat is known as the \u2018Battle of Ten Kings\u2019 ?
\nAnswer:<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe period between 1000 BC and 600 BC is marked by the \u2018Battle of Ten Kings\u2019, fought between Sudas, a Bharata King of the Tritsu family and a confederacy of ten tribal chiefs led by Vishvamitra.<\/p>\nQuestion 21.<\/span><\/strong>
\nName the important gods of the early Aryans.
\nAnswer:<\/strong><\/span>
\nWorship of natural phenomena prevailed in early Aryans, e.g. Indra, Agni, Varuna, Mitra, Surya etc.<\/p>\nQuestion 22.<\/span><\/strong>
\nName the Nature Gods of the Later Vedic Period.
\nAnswer:<\/strong><\/span>
\nNature Gods of the Later Vedic Age were Prajapati Brahma,Rama, Krishna (incarnation of Vishnu) and Shiva etc.<\/p>\nQuestion 23.<\/span><\/strong>
\nName the God to which the famous Gayatri mantra is addressed.
\nAnswer:<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe famous Gayatri mantra is addressed to the Sun, the god of light and creation.<\/p>\nQuestion 24.<\/span><\/strong>
\nName any two early Aryan settlements.
\nAnswer:<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe early Aryans settled in the Sapta-Sindhu region which comprised the five rivers of Punjab namely\u2014Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej and the river Indus (Sindhu) and the river Sarasvati.<\/p>\nQuestion 25.<\/span><\/strong>
\nWhich is the oldest Vedic Literature.
\nAnswer:<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe Rig Veda is the oldest Vedic literature.<\/p>\nQuestion 26.<\/span><\/strong>
\nWhat does the Rig Veda contain?
\nAnswer:<\/strong><\/span>
\nIt contains hymns in praise of different Gods and Goddesses like – Indra, Varuna and Agni.<\/p>\nQuestion 27.<\/span><\/strong>
\nMention any of the Vedic hymans that enables us to reconstruct the Early Vedic Civilization.
\nAnswer:<\/strong><\/span>
\nAgni. Agni was the personification, of the \u2018sacrificial fire\u2019. Sacrifices or yanjas occupied a prominent place in the early Vedic religion. Agni was thought of a messenger or a bearer of offerings (of milk, grain, ghee, etc.) from men to Gods.<\/p>\nQuestion 28.<\/span><\/strong>
\nHow can you say that the Rig Vedic Age was the Non-Iron using phase of Vedic history?
\nAnswer:<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe copper and the bronze were available in abundance, while the use of iron was not known to the Rig Vedic Age.<\/p>\nQuestion 29.<\/span><\/strong>
\nName any two of the four Varnas.
\nAnswer:<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe Brahmins and the Kshtriyas.<\/p>\nQuestion 30.<\/span><\/strong>
\nWhat was the position of women in the Rig Vedic age?
\nAnswer:<\/strong><\/span>
\nWomen were treated as being equal with men. They took part in all religious rites. Women were given education. Girls had freedom in the choice of husbands. Monogamy any polygamy both were popular. Child-marriage the sati system and purdah did not exist among the Aryans. The women attended all the social functions and gatherings. People prayed for the birth of sons in particular, but there are no clues of prayers for the birth of a daughter.<\/p>\nQuestion 31.<\/span><\/strong>
\nWhat were the two main occupations of the Rig Vedic Aryans?
\nAnswer:<\/strong><\/span>
\nDomesticiation of the animals and agriculture.<\/p>\nQuestion 32.<\/span><\/strong>
\nName the two political institutions which exercised check on the powers of the King in the Rig Vedic period.
\nAnswer:<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe Samiti and the Sabha.<\/p>\nQuestion 33.<\/span><\/strong>
\nWhat form of worship did the Aryans follow during the early Vedic period?
\nAnswer:<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe early Vedic period comprised worshipping of several gods. The Aryans used to worship Gods of the Sky or Heaven, Gods of the Atmosphere Gods of the Earth, Sacrifices or the Yajnas.<\/p>\nQuestion 34.<\/span><\/strong>
\nMention the important features of the religion of the early Vedic period.
\nAnswer:<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe religion of the early Vedic period was very simple. The people worshipped various forces of nature as manifestations of the Supreme God. Thus, they worshipped a number of Nature Gods. The Aryans did not build any temples of worshipped idols. They used to chant hymns in the open air. Sacrifices or the Yajnas occupied a prominent place in the early Vedic period.<\/p>\nQuestion 35.<\/span><\/strong>
\nState the importance of Sacrifices in the early Vedic ritual.
\nAnswer:<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe Aryans propitiated their Gods by performing sacrifices.
\nThe common items of offerings for the sacrifice included ghee, milk, grain, flesh and soma juice. Every householder performed the sacrifice by kindling the sacred fire and reciting hymns. All the members of the family participated in these ceremonies.<\/p>\nQuestion 36.<\/span><\/strong>
\nMention the important changes that took place in their religion of the later Vedic period.
\nAnswer:<\/strong><\/span>
\nIn the later Vedic period, Vajpeya sacrifice was performed by a new king at the time of his coronation. The Rajasuya sacrifice was performed to appease Gods in order to ensure the material well-being of the kingdom. The Ashvamedha sacrifice was performed for a powerful king to proclaim that he was the \u2018King of Kings\u2019.<\/p>\nQuestion 37.<\/span><\/strong>
\nName any two newer regions occupied by the Aryans during the later Vedic period.
\nAnswer:<\/strong><\/span>
\nDuring the later Vedic period, the Aryans occupied the region along the course of the rivers Ganga and Yamuna\u2014Bihar, vast regions to the eash such as Kosala (each Utter Pradesh).<\/p>\nQuestion 38.<\/span><\/strong>
\nMention the monumental evidence to suggest that Southern India had also become familiar with Iron in the later Vedic Age.
\nAnswer:<\/strong><\/span>
\nMegalithic Monuments such as dolmens and cromlechs have been found all over South India. The word \u2018megalith\u2019 means large stone (mega + lith). A dolmen or a cromlech is a megalithic tomb with a large flat stone laid on upright ones. Iron tools, arrows and fragments of rice and other grains have been found, besides the skeletons of the persons buried in these graves. This is enough to show the transition from Copper and Bronze Age Culture to the Iron Age.<\/p>\nQuestion 39.<\/span><\/strong>
\nMention any two of the Ashrams in the life of a man in Aryan society.
\nAnswer:<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe Brahmacharya Ashram and the Grihastha Ashram.<\/p>\nQuestion 40.<\/span><\/strong>
\nMention the important subjects included in the courses of Gurukul education.
\nAnswer:<\/strong><\/span>
\nLogic, Ethics, Military Science, Astronomy and Astrology were included in the course of study\/ Mathematics, Law and Grammar were also important subjects of study besides Vedic literature.<\/p>\nQuestion 41.<\/span><\/strong>
\nName the sacrifice that was performed by a king at the time of his coronation during the later Vedic age.
\nAnswer:<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe Ashvamedha sacrifice was performed by a king at the time of his coronation during the later Vedic age.<\/p>\nQuestion 42.<\/span><\/strong>
\nName any two newer crops produced by the later Vedic Aryans.
\nAnswer:<\/strong><\/span>
\nVirhi (rice) and wheat.<\/p>\nQuestion 43.<\/span><\/strong>
\nName the important deities of the later Vedic period.
\nAnswer:<\/strong><\/span>
\nBrahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Lord Rama and Lord Krishna became popular deities during the Epic period. Durga, Kali and Parvati emerged as the important female deities.<\/p>\nQuestion 44.<\/span><\/strong>
\nMention briefly the rituals and sacrifices of the later Vedic Aryans?
\nAnswer:<\/strong><\/span>
\nSacrifice became the most important part of the religion of the later Vedic Aryans. The ceremonies could be performed only by professional priests, many superstitious beliefs in spritis, spells and charms became part of their religion. Practice of Tapasya or penance occupied an important place in the religion. They believed in the principles of Karma (action) and Moksha (salvation).<\/p>\nQuestion 45.<\/span><\/strong>
\nAnswer:<\/strong><\/span>
\nIn the later Vedic period, the simple religious practices became complicated and ritualistic which were varied handled by the priests themselves as they had a vast knowledge of enchanting mantras in a meaningful manner to perform the holy rituals for a purpose, wish or some other reason. Hence, the priestly class was always given a prominent position in society in the later Vedic period.<\/p>\nQuestion 46.<\/span><\/strong>