General Studies 2024 GS Paper I 10 marks 150 words Compulsory Underline

Q1

Underline the changes in the field of society and economy from the Rig Vedic to the later Vedic period. (Answer in 150 words) 10

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

ऋग्वैदिक से उत्तर-वैदिक काल तक सामाजिक और आर्थिक क्षेत्र में घटित परिवर्तनों को रेखांकित कीजिए। (उत्तर 150 शब्दों में दीजिए)

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Directive word: Underline

This question asks you to underline. The directive word signals the depth of analysis expected, the structure of your answer, and the weight of evidence you must bring.

See our UPSC directive words guide for a full breakdown of how to respond to each command word.

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

The directive 'underline' demands clear identification and emphasis of transformative changes rather than mere description. Structure as: brief context setting (1 sentence) → parallel treatment of society and economy with explicit contrast markers → concluding synthesis on nature of change. Prioritize shift indicators: pastoral→agricultural, tribal→territorial, egalitarian→stratified.

Key points expected

Society: Shift from flexible tribal kinship (jana, vis) to rigid varna system with Brahmana-Kshatriya dominance and Shudra subordination; emergence of patriarchy replacing relatively egalitarian Rig Vedic gender relations
Economy: Transition from pastoral-nomadic economy (cattle-centric, gavisthi) to settled agriculture (krishi) with iron tools; land ownership replacing cattle as primary wealth
Polity: Tribal assemblies (sabha, samiti) declining vis-à-vis monarchical states (janapadas) with standing army and tax system (bali, bhaga)
Ritual: Simple nature worship (Indra, Agni) to elaborate sacrificial cults (ashvamedha, rajasuya) institutionalizing priestly power and economic extraction
Geography: Eastward shift from Sapta Sindhu (Punjab) to Ganga-Yamuna doab with rice cultivation and urbanization precursors

Evaluation rubric

Dimension	Weight	Max marks	Excellent	Average	Poor
Demand-directive understanding	20%	2	Explicitly frames answer as comparative transformation using contrast markers ('whereas', 'shifted from', 'in contrast'); treats both society and economy as interconnected domains of change	Lists features of both periods separately without explicit comparative linkage; treats society and economy as isolated silos	Describes only one period or provides narrative without highlighting changes; confuses 'underline' with 'describe'
Content depth & accuracy	20%	2	Precise identification of 4-5 substantive changes with accurate terminology (e.g., gavisthi to krishi, jana to janapada, vis to varna); no anachronisms	Mentions 2-3 changes with some accurate terms but includes vague generalizations or minor chronological errors (e.g., attributing full caste rigidity to Rig Veda)	Factually incorrect claims (e.g., Rig Vedic agriculture as dominant, absence of varna in Later Veda) or confuses Early and Later Vedic periods
Structure & flow	20%	2	Parallel structure enabling instant comparison; thematic grouping (society/economy) with internal chronology; seamless 150-word economy	Chronological or mixed organization without clear thematic headers; some repetition or uneven weightage between domains	Disorganized listing; disproportionate space to one period; exceeds word limit significantly or falls substantially short
Examples / case-law / data	20%	2	Specific textual references (e.g., Aitareya Brahmana for asvamedha, Shatapatha Brahmana for four varnas) or geographical markers (Kuru-Panchala janapadas)	Generic references to 'Vedic texts' or 'Brahmanas' without specificity; mentions iron but without period context	No concrete examples; uses modern analogies or irrelevant data (Mauryan period references)
Conclusion & analytical edge	20%	2	Synthesizes changes as 'Second Urbanization' precursor or notes dialectic between ritual intensification and state formation; qualifies change as gradual, not rupture	Summarizes points without analytical integration; makes unqualified claim about 'progress' or 'decline'	Absent or tautological conclusion; introduces new information; ends with value judgment without scholarly nuance

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