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?

The correct option is 1 only Explanation The practice of polyandry (one woman having multiple husbands) is central to the narrative of the Mahabharata regarding Draupadi’s marriage to the five Pandavas. Since this practice was generally not aligned with Brahmanical norms, the epic provides multiple mythological and social explanations to justify it, particularly through the sage Vyasa. Statement-wise Analysis: - Statement 1 is Correct: In the text, when Drupada (Draupadi's father) objects to the idea of his daughter marrying five men, Vyasa provides justifications. One of the explanations offered is that the Pandavas were incarnations of Indra (who had been cursed or split into five forms) and Draupadi was an incarnation of Indra’s wife, Shachi. Thus, she was essentially marrying one deity in five bodies. - Statement 2 is Incorrect: Historians do not unanimously reject the theory regarding the shortage of women. While analyzing the prevalence of polyandry, some historians suggest it may have been a practice among ruling elites in the Himalayan region, while others explicitly suggest that it might have been due to a shortage of women during times of frequent warfare. Since this theory is entertained by scholars rather than universally dismissed, the claim of unanimous rejection is false. Key Takeaway: The Mahabharata uses mythological narratives, such as the incarnation of Indra and the boon of Shiva, to validate the non-Brahmanical custom of polyandry within the Kuru lineage.

With reference to the explanations for… - NCERT Class 12 History MCQ

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

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With reference to the explanations for polyandry in the Mahabharata, consider the following statements:

Vyasa told Drupada that the Pandavas were incarnations of Indra.
Historians unanimously reject the idea that polyandry was due to a shortage of women.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

NCERT textbook question

From NCERT Themes in Indian History - I · Page 76

Options

A1 only
B2 only
CBoth 1 and 2
DNeither 1 nor 2

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is 1 only

Explanation

The practice of polyandry (one woman having multiple husbands) is central to the narrative of the Mahabharata regarding Draupadi’s marriage to the five Pandavas. Since this practice was generally not aligned with Brahmanical norms, the epic provides multiple mythological and social explanations to justify it, particularly through the sage Vyasa.

Statement-wise Analysis:

Statement 1 is Correct: In the text, when Drupada (Draupadi's father) objects to the idea of his daughter marrying five men, Vyasa provides justifications. One of the explanations offered is that the Pandavas were incarnations of Indra (who had been cursed or split into five forms) and Draupadi was an incarnation of Indra’s wife, Shachi. Thus, she was essentially marrying one deity in five bodies.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: Historians do not unanimously reject the theory regarding the shortage of women. While analyzing the prevalence of polyandry, some historians suggest it may have been a practice among ruling elites in the Himalayan region, while others explicitly suggest that it might have been due to a shortage of women during times of frequent warfare. Since this theory is entertained by scholars rather than universally dismissed, the claim of unanimous rejection is false.

Key Takeaway:
The Mahabharata uses mythological narratives, such as the incarnation of Indra and the boon of Shiva, to validate the non-Brahmanical custom of polyandry within the Kuru lineage.

Your note

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