The Vedic Civilization Q & A
Q.1. Name the following with reference to the lesson.
(1) Women scholars in Vedic literature:
Ans: Lopamudra, Gargi, Maitreyi.
(2) Means of entertainment in the Vedic period:
Ans: Singing, playing musical instruments, dance, board games, chariot race and hunting.
(3) The four ashramas:
Ans: Brahmacharyashrama, Grihasthashrama, Vanaprasthashrama, Sanyasashrama.
Q.2. Right or wrong?
(1) Rigveda – Mantras uttered during yajna.
Ans: Wrong.
(2) Samaveda – Guidance on singing a mantra during yajna rites.
Ans: Right.
(3) Atharvaveda – The Veda derived its name from Atharva rishi.
Ans: Right.
Q.3. Answer in one word each:
(1) The language of Vedic literature: Sanskrit.
(2) The meaning of vid: To know.
(3) The head of a family: Grihapati.
(4) The head of shrenis: Shreshthi.
Q.4. Name the following:
(1) The musical instruments you know:
Ans: Guitar, drums, piano, violin.
(2) Two modern ornaments of women:
Ans: Earing, necklace.
(3) Today’s means of entertainment:
Ans: Movies, computer games, T.V, mobile phone.
Q.5. Answer in short:
(1) What foods were included in the diet of the Vedic people?
Ans: Foods included in the diet of the Vedic people were cereals like wheat, barley and rice. From this they made different preparations like java, godhoom, vihi, etc.They also relished milk, yoghurt, ghee, butter, honey, black gram, lentil, sesame and meat.
(2) Why were the cows priced highly?
Ans: Cows were used as means of exchange. That is why, the cows were priced highly.
(3) What was a man expected to do in sanyasashrama ?
Ans: The fourth stage was the sanyasharam. At this stage a man was expected to renounce all relations, lead a life in order to understand the meaning of human life and not stay in one place.
Q.6. Write notes on:
(1) The religious ideas during the vedic period.
(2) Houses in the Vedic period.
Ans: The houses during the vedic period were earthen or wattle and daub constituents. Wattle means woven lattice of wooden strips which is daubed with clay mixed with cow dung. A house was called griha or shala.
(3) Political system in the Vedic period.
Ans: (a) The main duties of a king were to protect the people, collect taxes and run the administration efficiently.
(b) In order to run the administration smoothly, the king appointed various officers like the purohit (priest), the senapati and bhagdugh.
(c) There were four institutions who guided the king – sabha, samiti, vidath and jana.