Which statement correctly describes the transition from Rigvedic to Later Vedic society?

The transition to the Later Vedic period made social divisions clearer and increasingly hereditary. Agriculture, territorial kingdoms, royal authority and elaborate sacrifices expanded, while women’s public and ritual position generally declined. Varna distinctions became increasingly hereditary and rigid fits that evidence because it matches the specific chronology, agency and function contained in the question. A comparison with the alternatives is useful: Women's status improved greatly, Trade completely replaced agriculture and Society became more egalitarian are genuine historical terms or names, but each belongs to a different office, patron, text, region or sequence. Reading the question as a relationship among person, period, place and institutional purpose prevents that mistake. The supporting source also helps separate later textbook shorthand from the more precise historical formulation. The compact memory link is therefore Varna distinctions became increasingly hereditary and rigid together with the factual context above, not the isolated option letter.