What conclusion can be made about the change in gender structures in early India from the early Vedic Period to the late Vedic Period?

Question

a. Women became socially isolated through purdah but retained rights to own property
b. Women were allowed to marry after they reached puberty
c. Women gained higher status as they gained greater responsibilities in performing religious rituals
d. Women lost all rights and became second-class citizens

Answer 1

The most accurate conclusion about the change in gender structures in early India from the early Vedic Period to the late Vedic Period is:

d. Women lost all rights and became second-class citizens.

While there were variations in women's roles and statuses during these periods, the late Vedic Period saw a decline in women's rights and status, with more restrictive norms emerging, including limitations on their social participation and rights. This transition marked a movement towards a more patriarchal society, in which women were often relegated to a subordinate status.