Question

In the Rigveda, the Dasas and Dasyus refers to ________ a) Non-Aryans b) Tribals c) Robbers d) Menials

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct answer is option (a) : Non-Aryans.

• People who used to compose hymns described themselves as Aryas.
• These people described their opponents as Dasyus or Dasas.
• There were people who probably spoke different languages. There were people who did not perform any sacrifices.
• At a later stage, the word dasa as well as dasi (feminine) came to be known as slave.
• Men and women who were captured in wars were slaves.
• Slaves had to work for their masters, they had to do whatever work the master demanded them.

Related Links

Vedic Age [History Notes for UPSC & Govt. Exams]	History Of Medieval India [NCERT Notes]
Rig Veda – Important Facts [NCERT Ancient Indian History Notes For UPSC]	Types of Vedas – Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda & Atharvaveda
Vedic Civilization – Indo-Aryan Migration, Early and Later Vedic Period [UPSC GS-I]	Vedic Literature – Vedas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas & Upanishads