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. women gained higher status as they gained greater responsibilities in performing religious rituals.
2. women were allowed to marry after they reached puberty.
3. women lost all rights and became second-class citizens.
4. women became socially isolated through purdah but retained the right to own property.
i think it's #4
The correct answer is 1. Women gained higher status as they gained greater responsibilities in performing religious rituals.
The correct answer is 1. Women gained higher status as they gained greater responsibilities in performing religious rituals.
During the early Vedic period in India, women held a relatively high status and were active participants in various aspects of society, including religious rituals. They had the right to choose their life partners, were educated, and played important roles in social and religious ceremonies. Women had the freedom to own and inherit property and were given equal opportunities for spiritual growth.
However, with the advent of the late Vedic period, significant changes occurred in gender structures. Women's roles started to become more restricted, and social isolation began to occur through practices like purdah. Despite these changes, women still retained the right to own property, which suggests that they were not entirely stripped of all rights and privileges.
Therefore, the conclusion that can be made about the change in gender structures 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 (option 1).
To determine the correct conclusion about the change in gender structures in early India from the early Vedic period to the late Vedic period, we need to analyze the given options and the information about those periods.
1. The early Vedic period (1500 BCE - 600 BCE) saw the emergence of the Rigveda, an important Vedic text. While women had some degree of participation in religious rituals during this period, they did not gain higher status or greater responsibilities specifically through performing these rituals. Therefore, option 1 is incorrect.
2. In ancient India, women typically married at a young age after reaching puberty, regardless of the Vedic period. This norm did not change significantly between the early and late Vedic periods. Therefore, option 2 is not an accurate conclusion.
3. Option 3 suggests that women lost all rights and became second-class citizens. However, there is no evidence to support this conclusion for the change in gender structures during the Vedic periods. Therefore, option 3 is unlikely.
4. The late Vedic period (600 BCE - 200 BCE) saw the emergence of practices like purdah, which involved social isolation for women. However, despite this isolation, women retained the right to own property. This aligns with the information known about this period. Therefore, option 4 is the correct conclusion.
So, based on the information provided, the correct conclusion is: Women became socially isolated through practices like purdah but retained the right to own property during the late Vedic period.