Chapter-3Social Histories: Using the Mahabharata

Class-XII

Subject: History

Module: 2/ 3 ( Chapter 3)

Topic: Social difference within and

Beyond Framework of Caste

Teacher: B R Meshram, AECS No.3 Rawatbhata

Introduction of Topic:

The Dharma sutras an Dharmashatras states rules about the ideal occupation of the social categories.

Brahman claimed to be on the top while sudras were kept at the bottom.

The term caste refers to a set of hierarchically ordered.

Birth determined the positions within the order.

Revision:

The central story of Mahabharata is about two sets of warring cousins.

The texts also contains sections laying down norms of behavior for various social group.

The Mahabharata is an epic running its present form over one lac verses.

Family is the most basic social group.

The Mahabharata is a story about family relation.

While sons were important for the continuity of the patrillineage.

Daughters were viewed rather differently within the framework.

The Right Occupation:

The Dharma sutras and Dharmashatras also contained rules about the ideal occupations of the four categories or Varnas.

Brahmans were supposed to study and teach the Vedas.

Kshatriyas were to engage in warfare , protect people and administer justice.

Vaishayas , who were in addition expected to engage in agriculture and trade.

Sudras were assigned only one occupation that of serving three higher Varnas.

Four Varnas:

Non-Kshatriya King:

According to the Shatras only Kshatriya could be kings.

However several important ruling lineages probably had different origins.

The social background of the Maurays who ruled over a large empire, has been debated.

The Shungas and Kanvas the immediate succession of the Maurya , were Brahman.

Other ruler such as the Shakas who came from the Central Asia, were regarded as mlechchhas , barbarians of outside by the Brahmans.

Jatis and Social Mobility:

In Brahmanical theory jati like Varna who based on birth.

While the number of Varnas was fixed of four, there was no restrictions on the number of Jatis.

Brahmanical authorities encountered new group for instance people who living in forest such as nishads.

Beyond the for Varnas: Integration

There were and always have been populations whose social practice were not influenced by Brahmanical ideas.

Categories such as the nishads to which Eklavya is supposed to have belonged are example of this.

Sometimes those who spoke non Sanskritic languages were lebelled as malechchas and looked down upon.

There was nonetheless also a sharing of ideas and beliefs between these people.

Eklavya:

Beyond the four Varnas Subordination and

conflict: While the Brahmans considered some people as being outside

the system , they also developed a sharper social division by classifying certain social categories as “untouchables”.

The Manusmriti laid down the duties of the chandals.

They had to live outside the village use discarded things and wear clothes of the dead and ornaments of iron.

By examining non-Bramanical texts which depict the lives of chandals , historians have to tried to find out whether chandals accepted the life of degradation prescribe in the shastras.

Manusmriti:

Assignment: Mention two ideal occupation of Brahmans according to the

Dharmashatras?

Critically examine the social order of caste hierarchies laid in Dharma sutras and Dharmashatras for the four Varnas?

Who were designated as Chandals by Brahmansas?

What was their place in the society?

Critically examine the duties of Chandals as laid in Manusmriti?

What is the difference between Kula and Jati?

Explain the ideal occupation as laid down in Dharma sutras and Dharmashatras for the four Varnas?

What was the relation between Varna and Property?

Discuss whether kings in early states invariably Kshatriya?