Social Difference between the Early and later Vedic people

EARLY VEDIC AGE	LATER VEDIC AGE
The family was the basic unit of the Rigvedic society. It was patriarchal in nature Monogamy was the usual norm of marriage but the chiefs at times practiced polygamy.	The family remained the basic unit of the Vedic society. However, the later Vedic family became large enough to be called a joint-family with three or four generations living together.
The Rigvedic society was a simple and largely an egalitarian society. There was no caste division. Occupation was not based on birth. Members of a family could adopt different occupations.	The four divisions of society (Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas and Sudras) or the Varna system was thoroughly established during the Later Vedic period. The two higher classes – Brahmana, and Kshatriya enjoyed privileges that were denied to the Vaisya and Sudra. Many sub-castes on the basis of their occupation appeared in this period.
The women in society enjoyed respectable position. She was married at a proper age and could choose a husband of her own choice.  Women were given equal opportunities as men for their spiritual and intellectual development. There were women poets like Apala, Viswavara, Ghosa and Lopamudra during the Rig Vedic period. She could take part in the proceedings of the tribal assemblies called sabha and samiti.	According the Aitreya Brahmana a daughter has been described as a source of misery.  Child marriages were common. The power of the father increased during the Later Vedic period and they were considered inferior and subordinate to men.  The participation of women in public meetings was restricted.

Q. The religion of early Vedic Aryans was primarily of

A. Bhakti

B. Image worship and Yajnas

C. Worship of nature and Yajnas

D. Worshiping of nature and Bhakti

ANSWER: C