Consider the following statements regarding the Rigvedic polity and society: 1. The tribal society was egalitarian and kinship-based, with the basic social unit being the kula or family headed by the kulapa. 2. The office of the king, known as rajan, was strictly hereditary and possessed absolute autocratic powers without any popular assemblies. 3. Women enjoyed high status, participated in tribal assemblies like Sabha and Samiti, and composed Vedic hymns. Which of the statements given above are correct?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Statement 1 is correct because early Vedic society was pastoral and tribal, structured around the patriarchal family or kula. Statement 2 is incorrect because the Rigvedic king was primarily a military leader whose authority was checked by popular assemblies such as the Sabha, Samiti, and Vidatha, and kingship was not yet rigidly hereditary or absolute. Statement 3 is correct because women held prominent positions, received education, participated in religious rituals, and contributed hymns to the Rigveda. The Rigveda is the oldest of the four Vedas and contains ten mandalas.