Question

Read the following passage and answer the question that follows.

Given the diversity of the sub-continent, there were, and always have been, populations whose social practices were not influenced by Brahmanical ideas. When they figure in Sanskrit texts, they are often described as odd, uncivilized or even animal-like. In some instances, these included forest-dwellers for whom hunting and gathering remained an important means of subsistence. Categories such as the Nishada, to which Ekalavya is supposed to have belonged, are examples of this.

Due to which reason, there were populations whose social practices remained unaffected by Brahmanical ideas?

Options

• Due to the diversity of the Indian sub-continent.

• Brahmanical authorities encountered new groups-for instance, people living in forests such as the Nishadas.

• Due to the diversity of the Indian sub-continent and Brahmanical authorities encountered new groups-for instance, people living in forests such as the Nishadas.

• None of these

Answer 1

Due to the diversity of the Indian sub-continent.

Explanation:

When Brahmanical authorities came across new communities, such as Nishadas who lived in the forest, or when they wished to give a name to professional categories like goldsmith or suvamakara, they classed them as a jati. The reason for this is that the varna system was set to four and could not be changed. They classed every new group as a jati, not varna because new groups did not fit into the fourfold varna system at the time.