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Question
Write a short essay (about 250-300 words) on the following:-
Discuss Al-Biruni’s understanding of the caste system.
Solution
Al-Biruni’s description about caste system as he understood. Al-Biruni tried to explain the caste system by looking far parallels in other societies. He described that in ancient Persia, four social categories were recognised.
(i) knight and princes.
(ii) monks
(iii) fire-priests and lawyers; physicians, astronomers, other scientists;
(iv) Finally, peasants and artisans. He attempted to suggest that social divisions were not unique to India.
His description of the caste system in India was deeply influenced by his study of Sanskrit texts. According to these texts, the highest castes were the Brahmins as they were created from the head of the Brahmins.
The Kshatriyas were the next caste created from the shoulders and hands of the Brahmin. The Vaishyas and Shudras were created from the thighs and feet of the Brahmin respectively.
Thus, he sought to understand the Indian caste system by looking for parallels in other societies. Nothing that ancient Persian society was divided into four categories he realized that social division was not unique to India.
But despite accepting the caste system he was against the notion of pollution. He believed that according to the laws of nature anything which becomes impure ultimately becomes pure again, e.g. the sun clears the air. The concept of social pollution is the bedrock of the caste system. Thus, the caste system was according to him contrary to the laws of nature.
He failed to realize that the caste system was not as rigid as portrayed in the Sanskrit texts.
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RELATED QUESTIONS
Consider the following statements regarding Al-Biruni’s description of the caste system.
- Al-Biruni disapproved of the notion of pollution.
- He suggested that social division was unique to India.
- He believed the concept of social pollution, intrinsic to the caste system was contrary to the laws of nature.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
______ means born outside the system, were often expected to provide inexpensive labour to both peasants and zamindars.
How many social categories were recognised by Al-Biruni?
Which of the following is related to the Al-Biruni's concept of pollution ?
Which of the following is not the hurdle mentioned by Al-Biruni in understanding the local practices?
Which of the following category of society of ancient Persia was not recognised by the Al-Biruni?
As per Al-Biruni account of the system ofvarnas, arrange them according to the order of precedence.
- Shudra
- Vaishya
- Brahmana
- Kshatriya
What were the "barriers" discussed by Al-Biruni that obstructed him in understanding India?
(i) Problems of Language.
(ii) Difference in religious beliefs and practices.
(iii) Self-absorption and insularity of the local population.
Read the given source and answer the questions that follow:
|
A language with an enormous range Al-Biruni described Sanskrit as follows: If you want to conquer this difficulty (i.e. to learn Sanskrit), you will not find it easy, because the language is of an enormous range, both in words and inflections, something like the Arabic, calling one and the same thing by various names, both original and derivative, and using one and the same word for a variety of subjects, which, in order to be properly understood, must be distinguished from each other by various qualifying epithets. |
- How did Al-Biruni compare Sanskrit with Arabic?
- Give an example of the work Al-Biruni translated in Arabic from Sanskrit.
- Analyse the reason of Sanskrit considered as a language with enormous range.
