[10 Marks, 150 words] General Studies- I: History2024
| **Considering the word limit of 150 words, the answer should be specifically on core elements of society and economy. Aspirants have to make sure that there is no overlap of political, religious and cultural aspects in the answer. |
Rig Vedic and Later Vedic periods differed in Geographical spread, political, social, religious, economic and cultural life.
| Rig Vedic Society | Later Vedic Society |
| Classes of Brahmana, Rajanya, Vaisya and Sudra were merely functional and were not hereditary. | Classes became hereditary; change of caste was not possible. |
| Women enjoyed equal status with men, participated in public life. Upanayana was performed for girls, received education | Women could not attend Sabha, neither own nor inherit property. Daughters- regarded as source of misery. |
| Diet- cereals, milk products, meat of fish, goats, birds, sheep, horses and cattle. | Theory of Karma and transmigration discouraged eating meat. |
| Rig Vedic Economy | Later Vedic Economy |
| Wheat and Barley were principal foodgrains. | Rice, barley, beans, sesame and wheat were grown. |
| Not expert traders. | Industrial life and specialisation of work witnessed development. Organisation of merchants into guilds. |
| Barter was practised, Cows and gold (Niska) were media of exchange. | Niska, Satamana and Krsnala- used as units of value. |
| No references to silver or copper coins. | Advanced knowledge of metals gold, ayas (copper or iron) tin, lead, silver and iron. |
(The model answer provided by us strictly follows the word limit, the above answer is compiled in 177 words.)
Practicing answers sticking to the word limit will aid the aspirants to write answers precisely and to the point avoiding unnecessary things.