Consider the following statements regarding the duties of chandalas as laid down in the Manusmriti: 1. They had to live outside the village. 2. They had to use discarded utensils. 3. They were required to wear clothes of the dead. 4. They were allowed to walk in villages at night to perform essential services. Which of the statements given above are correct?

Correct Option The correct option is 1, 2 and 3 only. Explanation The Manusmriti (Laws of Manu), composed between c. 200 BCE and 200 CE, is one of the most authoritative Dharmashastras. It codified social norms, particularly regarding the varna system and the status of those considered outside the system, such as the chandalas. The text prescribes strict rules of social exclusion for these groups to maintain ritual purity for the upper varnas. Statement-wise Analysis - Statement 1 is Correct: According to the Manusmriti, chandalas were considered "untouchables" and were socially ostracized. They were explicitly required to live outside the village boundaries to prevent contact with the settled population. - Statement 2 is Correct: The text mandated that chandalas use discarded utensils (specifically broken vessels) rather than new or regular ones, reinforcing their status of ritual impurity. - Statement 3 is Correct: They were required to wear clothes taken from corpses (clothes of the dead) and ornaments made of iron, rather than gold or silver, distinguishing them visually from other social groups. - Statement 4 is Incorrect: The Manusmriti explicitly forbade chandalas from walking about in villages and cities at night. Their movement was restricted to prevent accidental contact or "pollution" during hours of low visibility. Key Takeaway: The Manusmriti institutionalized extreme social exclusion for chandalas, enforcing physical segregation (living outside villages), sumptuary restrictions (iron ornaments, discarded utensils), and temporal restrictions on movement (banned at night).

Consider the following statements regarding the duties of… - NCERT Class 12 History MCQ

NCERT Class 12 History — Chapter 3: Kinship, Caste and Class - Early Societies (c. 600 BCE - 600 CE)

mcqmedium

Consider the following statements regarding the duties of chandalas as laid down in the Manusmriti:

They had to live outside the village.
They had to use discarded utensils.
They were required to wear clothes of the dead.
They were allowed to walk in villages at night to perform essential services.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

NCERT textbook question

From NCERT Themes in Indian History - I · Page 66

Options

A1, 2 and 3 only
B2, 3 and 4 only
C1 and 4 only
D1, 2, 3 and 4

Did you get this right?

Solution

Correct Option

The correct option is 1, 2 and 3 only.

Explanation

The Manusmriti (Laws of Manu), composed between c. 200 BCE and 200 CE, is one of the most authoritative Dharmashastras. It codified social norms, particularly regarding the varna system and the status of those considered outside the system, such as the chandalas. The text prescribes strict rules of social exclusion for these groups to maintain ritual purity for the upper varnas.

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Correct: According to the Manusmriti, chandalas were considered "untouchables" and were socially ostracized. They were explicitly required to live outside the village boundaries to prevent contact with the settled population.
Statement 2 is Correct: The text mandated that chandalas use discarded utensils (specifically broken vessels) rather than new or regular ones, reinforcing their status of ritual impurity.
Statement 3 is Correct: They were required to wear clothes taken from corpses (clothes of the dead) and ornaments made of iron, rather than gold or silver, distinguishing them visually from other social groups.
Statement 4 is Incorrect: The Manusmriti explicitly forbade chandalas from walking about in villages and cities at night. Their movement was restricted to prevent accidental contact or "pollution" during hours of low visibility.

Key Takeaway: The Manusmriti institutionalized extreme social exclusion for chandalas, enforcing physical segregation (living outside villages), sumptuary restrictions (iron ornaments, discarded utensils), and temporal restrictions on movement (banned at night).

Your note

More from Chapter 3: Kinship, Caste and Class - Early Societies (c. 600 BCE - 600 CE)

In the early Sanskrit literary tradition, the term itihasa is used in which of the following literal senses?

easy

With reference to the explanations for polyandry in the Mahabharata, consider the following statements: 1. Vyasa told Drupada that the Pandavas were incarnations of Indra. 2. Historians unanimously reject the idea that polyandry was due to a shortage of women. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

With reference to the Shungas and Kanvas, consider the following statements: 1. They belonged to the Kshatriya varna. 2. They were the immediate successors of the Mauryas. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

Consider the following statements regarding the ideal occupations of the four varnas as per Dharmashastras: 1. Brahmanas were to study and teach the Vedas. 2. Kshatriyas were to engage in agriculture and trade. 3. Vaishyas were prohibited from making gifts or getting sacrifices performed. 4. Shudras were assigned the occupation of serving the three higher varnas. Which of the statements given above are correct?

medium

Consider the following statements regarding the rules of marriage in early societies: 1. All eight forms of marriage were considered equally good and desirable. 2. The Dharmasutras and Dharmashastras recognised as many as eight forms of marriage. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

Keep practising Chapter 3: Kinship, Caste and Class - Early Societies (c. 600 BCE - 600 CE)

Work through every question from this NCERT chapter.

Browse all NCERT Class 12 History chapters