What conclusion can be made about the change in gender structures in early India from the early Vedic Period to the late Vedic Period?(1 point)

Responses

Women gained higher status as they gained greater responsibilities in performing religious rituals.

Women became socially isolated through purdah but retained rights to own property.

Women were allowed to marry after they reached puberty.

Women lost all rights and became second-class citizens.

Women gained higher status as they gained greater responsibilities in performing religious rituals.

The conclusion that can be made about the change in gender structures in early India from the early Vedic Period to the late Vedic Period is that women gained higher status as they gained greater responsibilities in performing religious rituals.

To determine the conclusion about the change in gender structures in early India from the early Vedic Period to the late Vedic Period, we can analyze the given options and the historical context.

Option 1 suggests that women gained higher status as they gained greater responsibilities in performing religious rituals. To determine if this is true, we can examine historical sources from the early and late Vedic periods that describe the roles and responsibilities of women in religious rituals. This can include texts such as the Rigveda, Samaveda, Atharvaveda, and Brahmanas. By analyzing these sources, we can determine if there was a shift in women's roles and if they gained higher status as a result of their involvement in religious rituals.

Option 2 suggests that women became socially isolated through purdah but retained rights to own property. To assess the validity of this claim, we can study historical records, such as inscriptions, legal texts (such as Manusmriti), and archaeological evidence. These sources can help us understand if women were socially isolated through practices like purdah (seclusion) and whether they still had the rights to own property during this time.

Option 3 implies that women were allowed to marry after they reached puberty. To examine this claim, we can explore ancient legal texts, religious texts, and anthropological research to ascertain the age at which women were considered eligible for marriage during the early and late Vedic periods.

Option 4 suggests that women lost all rights and became second-class citizens. To evaluate the accuracy of this statement, we need to engage in a comprehensive study of various sources from the early and late Vedic periods. This can involve examining religious, legal, social, and literary texts, which provide insights into women's rights and social status during these periods.

To draw a conclusion about the change in gender structures, we need to explore reliable historical sources and research conducted by scholars in the field. By analyzing these sources, we can make an informed conclusion based on factual evidence.