NCERT Solutions for Class 12 History Chapter 3: Kinship, Caste and Class

NCERT Solutions for Class 12 History Chapter 3 are designed to help students clearly understand key historical concepts, themes, and questions as prescribed in the latest CBSE class 12 syllabus. These solutions provide well-structured and easy-to-learn answers that are useful for board exam preparation as well as concept revision. 

Each answer is written in simple language to improve clarity and retention. Although meant for senior secondary students, these solutions also help build a strong foundation for the upcoming Class 12 board exams, where analytical writing and conceptual understanding play an important role. Regular practice using NCERT-based answers ensures better exam confidence and scoring potential.

NCERT Solutions for Class 12 History Chapter 3 Kinship, Caste and Class

NCERT Solutions for Class 12 History Chapter 3 Kinship, Caste and Class are provided below to help students understand important concepts clearly. These answers are written in simple language and strictly follow the latest NCERT guidelines for effective exam preparation.

1. Explain why patriliny may have been particularly important among elite families.

Patriliny refers to tracing descent through the male line, from father to son. It was especially important among elite families because political power, land, and wealth were inherited through male heirs. Ruling families wanted to ensure continuity of authority and control over resources such as land, revenue, and armies.

The Mahabharata highlights conflicts over succession, showing how inheritance through sons was considered legitimate. Sons were also important for performing rituals and maintaining lineage prestige. Although there were rare exceptions where women exercised power, patrilineal succession remained dominant. This system helped elite families preserve social status, political stability, and power across generations.

2. Discuss whether kings in early states were invariably Kshatriyas.

Kings in early states were not always Kshatriyas, despite the Brahmanical ideal. Dharmashastras prescribed that only Kshatriyas could rule, but historical evidence shows flexibility in practice. Several ruling dynasties had non-Kshatriya origins. The Mauryas’ varna status is debated, and later dynasties like the Shungas and Kanvas were Brahmanas. 

Foreign rulers such as the Shakas were considered outsiders but adopted Sanskrit culture and ruled successfully. Political power often depended on military strength, wealth, and popular support rather than birth alone. Thus, kingship in early India was not strictly limited to the Kshatriya varna.

3. Compare and contrast the dharma or norms mentioned in the stories of Drona, Hidimba and Matanga.

The story of Drona reflects Brahmanical dharma that supported caste hierarchy. Drona denies Ekalavya education due to his low birth and demands his thumb to protect Arjuna’s status. In contrast, the story of Hidimba represents non-Brahmanical norms. Her marriage with Bhima ignores caste restrictions and accepted marriage rules, showing social flexibility. The Matanga Jataka strongly challenges Brahmanical ideas. 

Though born a chandala, Matanga gains spiritual power and moral superiority, questioning birth-based status. While Drona’s story enforces inequality, Hidimba’s and Matanga’s stories reveal alternative ideas of dharma and social justice.

4. In what ways was the Buddhist theory of a social contract different from the Brahmanical view of society derived from the Purusha sukta?

The Buddhist theory of a social contract explained social order as a human creation rather than a divine one. According to Buddhism, people chose a ruler to maintain peace and agreed to pay taxes in return for protection. In contrast, the Purusha sukta presented society as divinely created, with varnas emerging from the body of Purusha. 

This justified fixed hierarchy and birth-based inequality. Buddhism rejected the idea that status was determined by birth and emphasized moral conduct instead. While Brahmanical thought legitimised inequality, the Buddhist view allowed for change and questioned inherited privilege.

5. Do you think the episode of Draupadi being staked in the dice game suggests that wives were treated as the property of their husbands?

The episode suggests that women were often treated as dependent on their husbands, but it also shows debate around this idea. Yudhisthira staking Draupadi implies that wives were considered part of a man’s possessions. However, Draupadi questions his right to stake her after losing himself, challenging this assumption. 

Different opinions expressed in the text show that her status was contested. The fact that the issue remained unresolved reflects discomfort with treating women as property. The episode highlights patriarchal norms but also reveals voices of resistance within early society.

6. The following is an excerpt from the Mahabharata in which Yudhisthira, the eldest Jandava, speaks to Sanjaya, a messenger:

Try and identify the criteria used to make this list – in terms of age, gender, kinship ties. Are there any other criteria? For each category, explain why they are placed in a particular position in the list.

Ans: Not only age, gender and kinship ties but there were other factors too which were considered to prepare the list.

The Brahmins, Purohits, and Gurus were given the highest honors and were greatly respected. People who were like parents, such as fraternal relatives, were also shown respect. Those of the same age or younger were placed in the next rank. After them, the young Kuru warriors were respected. Women were also given their due respect in this order: wives, mothers, daughters-in-law, and daughters. Orphans and the handicapped were taken care of as well. Yudhishthira also greeted them all.

7. This is what a famous historian of Indian literature, Maurice Winternitz, wrote about the Mahabharata: “just because the Mahabharata represents more of an entire literature ... and contains so much and so many kinds of things, ... (it) gives(s) us an insight into the most profound depths of the soul of the Indian folk.” Discuss.

Ans: The Mahabharata is considered “more than just a piece of literature” because it includes a wide range of stories, lessons, myths, and philosophical discussions. Its tales show the complex issues, moral struggles, and social dynamics of ancient India, offering valuable insights into the thoughts, values, and lives of the Indian people. By covering human emotions, family matters, politics, and spirituality, the Mahabharata is not just an epic but a glimpse into the heart of Indian civilization.

8. Discuss whether the Mahabharata could have been the work of a single author.

Ans: The Mahabharata, created over centuries, evolved through oral traditions and continuous additions. Its diverse range of stories, changing language, and thematic variety point to contributions from various authors across different regions and backgrounds. 

The presence of numerous versions and interpolations further supports the idea of collective authorship, rather than the work of a single individual. The epic’s growth over time reflects the collaborative effort of many storytellers, each adding their unique perspective, shaping the Mahabharata into the vast and rich narrative we know today.

9. How important were gender differences in early societies? Give reasons for your answer.

Ans: In early societies, gender differences played a crucial role in inheritance, social roles, and family structure. Men typically inherited property and lineage, while women had limited rights. Social rituals, marriage customs, and expectations were designed to reinforce these gender roles, ensuring male dominance in both public and family life. 

These practices helped maintain a patriarchal system, where men's authority was upheld, and women's roles were often confined to domestic and supportive functions.

10. Discuss the evidence that suggests that Brahmanical prescriptions about kinship and marriage were not universally followed.

Ans: Historical records from Buddhist, Prakrit, and Tamil sources indicate that while Brahmanical norms were influential, they were often challenged or disregarded. Social practices varied significantly across regions. For instance, both matrilineal and patrilineal systems coexisted, with women sometimes inheriting property or holding power. 

Prabhavati Gupta, a prominent example, demonstrates that women could hold authority. These regional differences and exceptions to Brahmanical norms highlight that the rules were not universally followed, and societal structures were more diverse and flexible than often portrayed in Brahmanical texts.

Map Work

11. Compare the map in this chapter with Map 1 in Chapter 2. List the mahajanapadas and cities located near the Kuru-Panchala lands.

Projects (choose one)

12. Find out about retellings of the Mahabharata in other languages. Discuss how they handle any two of the episodes of the text described in this chapter, explaining any similarities or differences that you notice.

13. Imagine that you are an author and rewrite the story of Ekalavya from a perspective of your choice.

Exam Based NCERT Solutions for Class 12 History Chapter 3

Exam-based NCERT Solutions for Class 12 History Chapter 3 are provided to help students prepare effectively for board examinations. The answers are written strictly as per NCERT guidelines and expected  class 12 exam patterns. Check below for clear and well-structured solutions.

1. What is meant by patriliny?

Answer:
Patriliny is a system of descent in which lineage and inheritance are traced through the male line, from father to son. Property, titles, and family identity pass through male members.

2. What is exogamy?

Answer:
Exogamy is the practice of marrying outside one’s kin group, clan, or gotra. It was considered important among elite families to form alliances and avoid marriages within close relatives.

3. What is the difference between patriliny and matriliny?

Answer:
Patriliny traces descent through the father’s line, while matriliny traces descent through the mother’s line. Patriliny was more common in early Indian societies.

4. What were Dharmasutras and Dharmashastras?

Answer:
Dharmasutras and Dharmashastras were Brahmanical texts that laid down social norms, duties, laws, and codes of behaviour for different varnas and stages of life.

5. What was the role of gotra in Brahmanical society?

Answer:
Gotra referred to a lineage tracing descent from a Vedic seer. Members of the same gotra were not allowed to marry, and women were expected to adopt their husband’s gotra after marriage.

6. Who were the chandalas?

Answer:
Chandalas were considered “untouchables” and placed at the bottom of the social hierarchy. They performed tasks considered polluting, such as handling dead bodies and execution.

7. What is meant by jati?

Answer:
Jati refers to social groups based on birth, occupation, or community. Unlike varna, the number of jatis was not fixed and allowed for social diversity.

8. Why was Ekalavya denied education by Drona?

Answer:
Ekalavya was denied education because he belonged to a forest-dwelling community and did not fit into the Brahmanical varna system, reflecting caste-based discrimination.

9. What is stridhana?

Answer:
Stridhana was the property given to a woman at the time of marriage, including gifts from her family. It was considered her personal wealth.

10. What does the Buddhist theory of kingship suggest?

Answer:
The Buddhist theory suggests that kingship arose through a social contract where people chose a ruler to maintain order and paid taxes in return for protection.

How NCERT Solutions for Class 12 History Chapter 3 Helpful for Board Exams

NCERT Solutions for Class 12 History Chapter 3 help students understand key concepts clearly and exam-oriented answers. These solutions follow the latest NCERT pattern and marking scheme. Check below for well-structured explanations that improve confidence and board exam performance.

• Kinship Caste and Class Class 12 solutions help students understand complex social structures like kinship, caste hierarchy, and social mobility in a clear and simplified manner, which is crucial for writing analytical answers in board exams.

• With kinship caste and class class 12 question answers, students get well-structured responses that follow NCERT language, helping them score better in 3-, 5-, and 8-mark questions.

• Kinship caste and class class 12ncert solutions ensure conceptual clarity by explaining historical examples from the Mahabharata, Dharmashastras, and Buddhist texts exactly as expected by examiners.

• These NCERT solutions help students frame answers using proper historical terms, keywords, and arguments, which improves presentation and boosts overall marks in History papers.

• Regular revision using NCERT solutions strengthens answer-writing skills, improves time management, and builds confidence for Class 12 board examinations.