Chapter 5 of the Class 12 History NCERT book is titled Perceptions of Society, and it focuses on how different sections of society lived, interacted, and were perceived in early India. This chapter mainly discusses the social structure during the Mauryan and post-Mauryan period, including the roles of varnas, jatis, women, untouchables, and forest dwellers. It uses sources like the Dharmashastras, Jatakas, and Ashokan edicts to understand how society functioned and how different groups were viewed.
I chose to write about this chapter because it talks about how people were divided and treated in ancient times—based on birth, gender, occupation, and even where they lived. Today, even though society has changed a lot, some of these ideas still influence us. That’s why understanding how social norms were formed and recorded is very important. Personally, I feel this chapter opens our eyes to both the structure and the struggles of past societies. It also helps students connect history to present-day issues like caste discrimination and gender roles. If you are preparing for board exams or competitive tests, this chapter gives valuable insights into how historical texts shaped social thinking.
Society and Its Structure in Early India
Ancient Indian society was not uniform. It had many layers—based on varna, jati, gender, and even place of living. The chapter explores how these layers were created, maintained, and challenged.
Key Concepts from the Chapter
- Varna System: Society was divided into four main varnas—Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras. This division was mainly theoretical and found in texts like the Dharmashastras.
- Jati System: In real life, people followed the jati (caste) system, which was much more complex. Jatis were based on birth, occupation, and region.
- Gender Roles: Women were expected to follow rules laid down by male-dominated texts. Their role was mostly domestic, but some texts mention women scholars and rulers too.
- Untouchables and Forest Dwellers: People doing unclean jobs like skinning animals or cleaning were considered untouchables. Forest dwellers were seen as outsiders or “uncivilised,” though they often had trade relations with settled people.
- Rules of Conduct: The Dharmashastras told people how to behave according to their varna and stage of life (ashrama). These were idealistic rules, not always followed in real life.
Use of Sources to Understand Society
Historians have used different sources to study perceptions of society:
- Dharmashastras: These Sanskrit texts laid down social norms. They were written by Brahmins and show an idealised version of society.
- Jatakas: These Buddhist stories give us a glimpse into daily life and problems faced by common people. They often criticise the caste system.
- Ashokan Edicts: Emperor Ashoka promoted Dhamma, which respected people of all castes and religions. His inscriptions reflect a more inclusive view.
- Sanskrit Plays: Texts like Mrichchhakatika and Mudrarakshasa show the presence of various jatis and social roles in urban settings.
- Archaeological Evidence: Pottery, tools, and settlement patterns help in understanding the lives of those who were not recorded in written texts.
Table: Comparison of Textual and Real-Life Society
| Source | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Dharmashastras | Ideal varna rules and duties |
| Jatakas | Real-life struggles of common people |
| Ashokan Edicts | Official attempts to create social harmony |
| Plays and Literature | Mixed urban societies and roles of women and Shudras |
Issues of Inequality and Control
This chapter also makes you think about how inequality was justified and controlled:
- Birth-based Hierarchy: Most people were assigned roles based on their birth, not talent.
- Control Through Religion: The belief that disobeying caste rules could lead to bad karma or rebirth in a lower caste was used to control people.
- Limited Mobility: Even though some upward movement was possible (e.g., through wealth or patronage), most people remained within their jati for life.
- Resistance and Criticism: Some texts, especially Buddhist ones, criticised caste practices and promoted more inclusive ideas.
Important Questions for Exam
Here are some common types of questions from this chapter:
- What is the difference between varna and jati?
- How did Ashokan edicts reflect social thinking of his time?
- Explain the role of Dharmashastras in shaping social rules.
- Describe the condition of women in early Indian society.
- What do Jataka stories tell us about common people?
Make sure to give examples from texts and also write your own interpretation where needed.
Download PDF: NCERT Class 12 History Chapter 5 – Perceptions of Society
For detailed reading and revision, you can download the official chapter PDF from here.
