22. What conclusion can be made about the change in gender structures in early India from the early Vedic Period to the late Vedic Period? (1 point)

The transition from the early Vedic Period to the late Vedic Period in early India reflects a significant shift in gender structures. During the early Vedic Period, women enjoyed more autonomy and a relatively higher status in society, with the ability to participate in rituals and contribute to social and intellectual life. However, by the late Vedic Period, there is evidence of a more patriarchal social order, which saw a decline in women's rights and a more restricted role in society. This change can be associated with the growing emphasis on ritualism, family lineage, and property inheritance, which reinforced male dominance and limited women's roles primarily to the domestic sphere. Thus, the conclusion is that there was a notable decline in the status and agency of women from the early Vedic to the late Vedic Period.