Describe the Indian society during the Mahabharata period.
Answers
Society of the Mahabharata was very complex and as ‘modern’ in its outlook. Here are some interesting points (in no specific order).
Families -
Large family units were common. Lots of wives. Lots of children.
Families lived in ‘extended’ units in their own houses. Women had their own ‘homes’ and rarely shared their living space with co-wives.
Families were cohesive units and stood by each other through thick and thin.
Blood relation counted more than anything!
Marriage -
Polygamy was common. (Till 70 years ago, polygamy was practised by many Hindus.)
Polyandry was rare, but acceptable in some circumstances and societies.
Inheritance -
Children of legally married wives took precedence over concubines who were ahead of children born out of wedlock.
Disability debarred people from inheriting kingdoms or family businesses.
Character flaws debarred people from inheritance.
Women -
In the time of Mahabharata, women were very vocal. They were protected and closeted where required, but their individual identities were allowed to flourish. Their chastity was of paramount importance.
Men -
In the time of Mahabharata, men were suppose to be macho, confident, infallible, supportive, protective, purposeful, dutiful, humble, respectful of elders, etc. When they failed to be all these things, they berated themselves and wondered how could they fallen off the pedestal society out them on! (Yudhishthir does this all the time). Like the Metro-men of today, they wanted to strike a balance between their hard and soft sides but weren’t sure exactly how hard or soft to be.
Children -
Being dutiful was all essential. But as rules of duty - dharma - were so complex, people were always questioning which duty trumped other duties and which dharma they should follow. Children were essentially an extension of their parents, family and society.
Society -
Ca
ste, class and ethnicity divided people in multiple ways.
Caste was based on birth.
Class was based on wealth.
Ethnicity was based on clan and tribal association.
Politics -
Very complex and complicated arrangement of kingdoms, republics, city states, democracies and panchayat style council of elders.
Capable people of all caste, class, creed and ages became leaders of their own communities. Situations were fluid and wars, famines, marriage alliances could change one type of political system to another.
Economy -
Farming, animal husbandry, mining, crafts, entertainment and ‘services’ propelled the economy of the time. Consumerism was encouraged and ‘new’ things had to be used for almost all ‘functions’ and festivals. New clothes, new pots, new mats, new utensils had to be used for births, marriages, welcoming important guests, festivals etc. This kept the economy moving all the time.
Servants and slaves were common. They did all the ‘work’.
Trade between kingdoms and communities made India dynamic. People traded with countries outside Aryavarta, making coastal city states like Dwarka very rich!
War -
Despite political and marriage alliances, wars were common. Every time a king / ruler died, all treaties were effectively null and void. Each new king went on a ‘digvijay’ to convince everyone they were THE king!
People of all castes and classes took up military as a profession.
Mercenaries were common in all armies.
Religious beliefs -
People had a healthy disregard for ‘mythologies’. EG - Everyone believed they could beat Devas and Danavas put together.
Everyone respected sages and saints but didn’t believe them to be infallible.
Fate, karma, papa, punya were used to justify actions and inactions as it suited people - very similar to modern peopl