2 Class 11

I. I. Choose the correct answer

Question 1.
Name of the main collection of Vedic hymns.
a) Brahmanas
b) Sangitas
c) Aranyakas
d) Upanishads
Answer:
b) Sangitas

Question 2.
What is the Upper Gangetic plain called?
a) Kurupanchalam
b) Gangetic plain
c) Indus valley
d) Videha
Answer:
a)KuruPanchala

Question 3.
Adichanallur ................... Located in the district.
a) Coimbatore
b) Tirunelveli
c) Thoothukudi
d) Vellore
Answer:
c) Thoothukudi

Question 4.
Note the following pairs.( i) Senani – Commander
(ii) Gramani – Village Headman
(iii) Bali – given voluntarily
(iv) Purohita – Governor Which
 of the above pairs is wrong?
a) (i) b
) (ii)
c) (iii)
d) (iv) Answer:
(d) (iv) priest – governor

Question 5.
Assertion (T): There is no evidence of child marriage in the early Vedic
period
Reason (ka): Women were excluded from rituals in the later Vedic
period
a) Both assertion and reason are correct. Reason illustrates the
assertion.
b) Both assertion and reason are correct. But reason does not explain
assertion,
c) Assertion is correct. The reason is wrong.
(d) Both assertion and reason are correct. Answer:
(b) Both assertion and reason are correct. But reason does not explain
the claim.

Additional Questions

Question 1.
Indus Civilisation ..........................
(a) P.b.M. 1500
b) A.b.M. 1700
c) c.b.M. 1900
d) A.D.b.M. 2100
Answer: (
A) b.M. 1900
Question 2.
The oldest of the Vedas .............. Scripture.
a) Rig
b) Yajur
c) Sama
d) Atharva
Answer:
a) Rig

Question 3.
Musical ........... It is considered to be the foundation of
the Indian musical tradition.
a) Rig Veda
b) Yajur Veda
c) Sama Veda
d) Atharva Veda
Answer:
c) Sama Veda

Question 4.
Agricultural land .................. It
was known.
a) Sita
b) Sura
c) Kashi
d) Kshetra
Answer:
d) Kshetra

Question 5.‘The phrase 'Satyameva Jayate' ................. Excerpted from

the book
a) Mahabharata
b) Jend Avesta
c) Mundaka Upanashad
d) Ramayana
Answer:
c) Mundaka Upanashad

Question 6.
Note the following pairs.( i) Indra – God of Dawn
(ii) Sun – Purandara
(iii) Usha – God of Darkness
(iv) Marut – God of Strength
Which of the above combination is correct?
a) (i)
b) (ii)
c) (iii)
d) (iv)Answer: (d) (iv) Marut – God of Strength

Question 7.
Assertion: Scholars believe that marriage took place between the ages
of sixteen and seventeen during the Rig Vedic period.
Reason: It does not appear that there was a child marriage at that
time.
a. Both assertion and reason are correct. Reason illustrates the
assertion.
(b) Assertion is correct. The reason is wrong.
c. Both assertion and reason are correct.
(d) Both assertion and reason are correct. Reason does not explain
assertion
Answer:
a) Both assertion and reason are correct. Reason illustrates the
assertion.

Question 8.
Rig Veda Total ............. It consists of
a) 5
b) 7
c) 10
d) 13Answer:
c) 10

Question 9.The
then District Collector of Tirunelveli A.J.Stuart, a scholar of the famous
language
........................ Both of them went to Adichanallur.
a) Antrujahar
b) R.S. Sharma
c) Robert Caldwell
d) G.U.
Pope Answer:
c) Robert Caldwell

Question 10.
The site excavated by Andrew Jahar.
a) Sittanavasal
b Payyampalli
c Keezham
d) Athichanallur
Answer:
d) Athichanallur

II. Answer briefly

Question 1.
List out the Vedic literature. Answer:

• The word Veda is derived from the word Vid.

• The four Vedas are – Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharvan. Of these,
the Rig Veda is the oldest.
• Apart from this, the Brahmanas, Upanishads, Aranyakas and
epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata are also Vedic literature.
Question 2.
Write about Zend Avastha. Answer:

• The Zend Avesta is a Persian-Iranian holy book of

Zoroastrianism.
• This book tells us a lot about the land where the people who
spoke Indo-Iranian languages and their gods.
• There are also references to the northern and northwestern
parts of India.
• This book contains supplementary evidence to know about the
early settlements of the Aryans outside the Indian subcontinent.

Question 3.
Outline the position of women in the early Vedic period. Answer:

• Women were given equal opportunities in spiritual and

intellectual development as men.
• Women poets like Apala, Vishwavara, Ghosa and Lopamudra-
Gada also lived during the Rig Vedic period.
• It is noteworthy that there was no practice of child marriage or
sati in the Rig Vedic period.

Question 4.
2. Write about the gods of the Rig Veda. Answer:

• The people of Rig Vedic period worshipped the forces of nature

like earth, fire, wind, rain, thunder and lightning.
• Prithivi-earth, Agni-fire, Vayu-air, Varuna-rain, Indra-thunder-
lightning were the most popular gods of the Rig Vedic period.
• Goddesses like Aditi and Ushas were also worshipped during this
period.
• There were no temples or idol worship in the early Vedic period.
Various rituals were followed during worship.
Question 5.
What do you know about the Iron Age of India? Answer:

• The Iron Age of North India coincides with the painted grey
pottery culture.
• More than 1000 locations have been identified.
• The settlements of this period were large in size. They show a
large increase in population in the northern parts of India.
• In South India, the Iron Age is a megalithic commodity with
burial monuments.

Additional Questions

Question 1.
2. Write a note on the Rig Veda. Answer:

• The Rig Veda is the oldest of the Vedas.

• It consists of 10 cantos.
• Two to seven of them were written first.
• Cantos 1, 8, 9 and 10 are also considered to belong to a later
period.

Question 2.
Mention – Kodumanal. Answer:

• In the Sangam book Pathitruppam, the place Kodumanam

belonging to the Chera king is praised for the precious stones
found here.
• Some archaeologists are of the opinion that the present day
Kodumanal is the Kodumanal mentioned in Sangam literature.
• Hoards of Roman coins have also been found here.
• A variety of burial methods such as burial pits, urns and stone
bed burial were excavated at Kodumanal.

Question 3.‘Tell us about the 'War of the Ten Kings'. Answer:

 • The Bharata clan was opposed by ten chiefs.
• Five of them were Aryans. The other five were non-Aryans.
• The war between them is known as the 'War of the Ten Kings'.
• The battle took place on the banks of the river Purusini.

Question 4.
What is the message of the Purusha Sukta in the Rig Veda? Answer:
There are many varnas as mentioned in the Purusha Sukta of the Rig
Veda.

• Those who sprang from the mouth of Purusha when he was

sacrificed were the Brahmanas.
• The Kshatriyas sprang from two hands.
• The Vaishyas sprang from the thighs.
• It says that those who sprang from the feet were shudras.

Question 5.
2. Write about the rituals of the Later Vedic Period. Answer:

• Rituals became important in society.

• People believed that rituals, sacrifices and sacrifices would solve
their problems.
• It was insisted that the ceremonies should be conducted in the
utmost manner.
• The mindset that problems could be solved by performing rituals
created the idea that with wealth anything could be achieved.

III. Answer briefly

Question 1.
2. Briefly describe the Chalcolithic cultures of South India. Answer:

• There is no evidence of a complete Chalcolithic culture in South

India.
 • Perforated pots and kettle shaped vessels have been found in
some places.
• Stone tools continued to be used in these areas.
• Agriculture and animal husbandry were the main sources of
livelihood of the people.
• Millets, pulses. Horse gram etc. were cultivated.
• These people gathered fruits, leaves and tubers and lived on
them.

Question 2.
List out the geographical distributions of the Early Vedic Period.
Answer:
In the Indian subcontinent, the early Vedic Aryans lived in eastern
Afghanistan, Pakistan, Punjab and parts of western Uttar Pradesh.

Question 3.
Outline the social divisions of the Rig Vedic period. Answer:

• The Vedic Aryan people The Aryans used the word 'varna' to
indicate the colour and type of non-Aryan peoples.
• The Rig Veda refers to 'Arya Varna' and 'Dasa Varna'.
• The Dasas and Dasyus were considered slaves and captured.
• Later they came to be known as Shudras.
• Divisions arose in society the warriors, the clergy and the laity.
• Towards the end of the Rig Vedic period the Shudras formed a
separate class. Slaves were given as gifts to the priests.

Question 4.
2. Examine the characteristics of pastoral society. Answer:

• The pastoralists were nomadic in the beginning and later settled

in settled places.
• They started farming.
• Cattle were considered sacred.
• It was a part of the exchange and redistribution.
 • Cattle grazing became a subsidiary occupation of agriculture.
• The assets of the pastoral community were assessed based on
the number of livestock and other animals.

Question 5.
Show the differences between the early Vedic society and the later
Vedic society. Answer:

Differences between Early Vedic Society and Later Vedic Society.

Early Vedic Society Post-Vedic society
1. It fits with the elements of the Chalcolithic cultures. It fits with elements of Iron Age cultures.
2. Brown and yellow pottery associated with
Grey (painted) pottery was found.
Chalcolithic culture was discovered.
3. Society has always been egalitarian. Later, social differences have emerged.
4. Women held a respectable position in society. They They were denied this right in the later Ved
participated in sacrifices and rituals. The status of women in society was degrad
5. Animal husbandry was an important economic
Emphasis was laid on agriculture.
activity Cattle were considered as property.
Prajapati became the main god. Agni and In
6. Indra is the most important god
their influence over the gods.

Additional Questions

Question 1.
List out the findings from the burial mounds at Adichanallur. Answer:

• A wide variety of urns and pottery are available in large

numbers.
• Iron tools including nails and weapons (swords, swords, spears,
arrows), some stone beads, a few gold jewellery.
• Bronze dolls of domestic animals like buffalo, goat, sheep,
rooster and wild animals like tiger, mila and elephant.
• Cloth, wooden objects and remains are found from a burial
mound at Adichanallur
Question 2.
2. Describe the position of women during the Rig Vedic period.
Answer:

• Women occupied a respectable place in society. However, it

cannot be generalized.
• Women attended village meetings. They took part in sacrifices.
• Although marriage was practiced, primitive marriages were also
followed.
• Polygamy seems to have been practiced. Remarriage was also in
vogue.
• Scholars believe that the marriage took place at the age of
sixteen and seventeen.
• According to historians, child marriages do not seem to have
taken place at that time
.

Question 3.
What were the characteristics of the Rig Vedic society? Answer:

• In the early Vedic period, clans and tribes built up society.

• In spite of the varna theory and the pride of identity of the
Aryans, discrimination in general did not take deep roots in
society.
• The pastoral lifestyle was important.
• Cattle-centered conflicts were a daily occurrence.
• Next to cattle rearing and pastoralism, agriculture was the most
important occupation.
• Archaeology reveals that metal objects, pottery, wooden objects,
textiles and many other objects were produced. The society
consisted of ethnic groups and hereditary families.

Question 4.
Mention the varna (caste) system that emerged in the later Vedic
period. Answer:
 • There were striking changes in the varna system.
• The power of the two upper strata of society, the Brahmins and
the Kshatriyas, increased.
• The Chaturvarnya system took deep root and became more rigid
with the passage of time.
• In the Panchvamsa Brahmin, the Kshatriyas were placed first as
superior to the Brahmins.
• But the Satapatha Brahmana says that the Brahmins are superior
to the Kshatriyas.

Question 5.
2. State the position of women in the Later Vedic Period. Answer:

• As the society became more divided and hierarchical and the

patriarchal family system became more important, the status of
women in the society was degraded.
• The father was the head of the family. The eldest son was next in
importance.
• During the Rig Vedic period, women participated in sacrifices
and rituals.
• Later in the Vedic period they were denied these rights.
• Girls were considered the source of problems.
• Women reared cattle, milked and drew water.

Question 6.
What were the peculiarities of the Later Vedic period? Answer:

• Genealogy of tribes led to the emergence of several petty

kingdoms in the Gangetic plain.
• In the course of development.b.M. The development of states
after 600 BC was a characteristic feature of the Later Vedic
period.
• Territories were consolidated under the names of Janapadas and
Rashtras.
• The king gained more powers.
 • Social distinctions and inequalities took deep roots. The varna
system developed.

IV. Answer in detail :

Question 1.
2. Describe the brownish and yellow pottery cultures of India. Answer:

Brown-yellow pottery cultures:

Brown-yellow pottery associated with the Chalcolithic culture was
discovered in North India.

Pottery:
Brown and yellow cultures include jars, containers, plates, and wide
bowls.

Period:
Period of Brown-Yellow Pottery Cultureb.M. 2600 to C.E.b.M. Up to
1200.

Copper Accumulation Culture:

It is also known as Copper Accumulation Culture because of the
abundance of copper figurines and other objects available in research
sites.

Crops:
Rice, barley, peas and vegetables were grown.

Cattle rearing:
Oxen, cow, goat, sheep, horse, dog and pig were reared.

House:
They lived in houses with walls and roofs made of clay on wooden
slabs. They also made ornaments and terracotta figurines out of baked
clay. This culture is a rural culture.
Question 2.
2. Discuss the megalithic sites of Tamil Nadu. Answer:
Megalithic studies were conducted at Adichanallur, Payyampalli and
Kodumanal.

Adichanallur:
22 km from Tirunelveli.m. In 1876, Andrew Jahar undertook
excavations at Adichanallur in Thoothukudi district.
The then District Collector A.J.With the efforts of Stuart and linguist
Robert Caldwell, the excavation work began under the supervision of
Alexander Ree.

Urns, pottery, nails, iron tools including weapons, some stone beads, a
few gold jewellery, bronze figs of domestic animals, remains of cloth
and wooden objects have been found there.

Paiyampalli:
A village in Tirupattur taluk of Vellore district was excavated in 1906
and black and red pottery was unearthed. Burial urns have been found
in large numbers.
The period of this culture is known by radiocarbon testing.b.M. It is
estimated to be 1000.

Kodumanal:
40 km from Erode.m. Kodumanal is located on the northern bank of
the Noyyal River, a tributary of the Cauvery River.
Pottery, weapons, tools, ornaments, beads and gems were excavated.

Pottery heaps containing shells, bangles, remains, kiln ashes and

Tamil Brahmi inscriptions have been found. Burial pits, urns and stone
beds have also been excavated.
The megalith, found near a burial site, is estimated to belong to the
megalithic period.
The excavations at Kodumanal belong to the Sangam Tokai period.
Question 3.
1. Write an essay on Vedic politics and administration. Answer:
Government:

• The Vedic state was the politics of tribal society.

• The head of the tribe was the political chief. He was called Rajan
(king).
• Rajan lived in a palace with many pillars. He presented the
priests with cattle, chariots and gold ornaments.
• Rajan became a traditional leader.
• The main function of the king was to protect the tribes. He
protected people's property.
• There was power over the land and over the people.
• He was close to ordinary people. He dined with them in public.

Administration:

• In the Vedic period, Sabha, Samiti, Vidhatha and Gana were

found.
• Sabha is an organization of elders or wealthy people.
• Samiti is a place where people gather. Vidatha is a system of
tribes. They carried out military and religious activities.
• The kings sought the support of the sabha and samiti for their
activities.
• The priests gained their influence by advising, encouraging and
praising the king.
• Senani was the commander of the army. The tax system known
as bali was obtained voluntarily or by force.
• The officer who controlled the territory was called Virajapati. He
assisted the leaders of the troops, the kulapa or gramani. The
village head is also the villager.