Correct Option
The correct option is They opposed the varna and jati systems.
Explanation
Early Buddhism and Jainism emerged in the 6th century BCE as part of the Shramana tradition. These movements arose in the Gangetic plains as a reaction against the ritualistic dominance of the Brahmanical orthodoxy and the rigid social stratification defined by the later Vedic period.
Option Analysis
- They opposed the varna and Both Buddhism and Jainism rejected the authority of the Vedas and the divine origin of the Varna system. They opposed the notion that social status or spiritual worth was determined by birth. Instead, they emphasized karma (action) and individual conduct as the basis for one's status.
- They supported the varna and jati systems. is Incorrect: These traditions did not support the Varna and Jati systems; rather, they provided an alternative social philosophy that challenged the hierarchical gradation of society inherent in the Brahmanical order.
- They exclusively recruited from the priestly class. is Incorrect: The monastic orders (Sangha) in both Buddhism and Jainism were open to members of all castes, not exclusively the priestly class. While the Kshatriya lineage of the founders (Buddha and Mahavira) was significant, recruitment was inclusive.
- They enforced strict caste-based segregation. is Incorrect: They did not enforce caste-based segregation. Within the Buddhist Sangha, for instance, all caste distinctions were merged, and members were treated equally regardless of their social origins.
Key Takeaway: Early Buddhism and Jainism were egalitarian in their spiritual outlook, rejecting the birth-based Varna hierarchy and opening the path of salvation to all sections of society, including women and Shudras.