Discuss the main feature of society economy, polity and religion during the early vedic period
Answers
Political system :
During Early vedic period, monarchical form of government was present. Thus, a King. He was appointed by Samiti on hereditary basis.Samiti was a political organisation with all adults as its members without any discrimination at all. It was a law making body and looked at the procedure of removal of King also. Thus Samiti was the Supreme Authority.
King had two titles : 1) Janasya Gopa (protector of people) and 2) Vasudevaya (giver of wealth).
Administration :
The society had an administrative setup to be governed by Gopa (a King to look after all jana or people), Vishapati, Gramini (for a Gram or village) and Kulpa (head of the family).
Executive division :
Purohit was appointed to give religious and political advise to the King.
Senani was appointed as Commander in Chief.
Brajpati was the officer of Pasture land.
Gramini was the Civil and Military officer.
Upasti was the Secretary to the King.
Economic setup :
There was no taxation system (tax was called Bali), because no surplus was generated and society was semi nomadic with mostly cattle rearing.
Society :
Society was semi nomadic. Settled life was present but still agriculture was not the chief occupation of people. Some were practicing cattle rearing. Women enjoyed all rights equal to men, they had right to education, profession, marriage, remarriage, politics, religion, etc. There was no Child Marriage. There was no Untouchability. According to Romila Thapar, there was Sati present but only symbolically. Varna Sankar was absent. There was no slavery among the Aryans. Inter dining and intermarriage happened among all Aryan Varnas.
Religion :
Bogazkai Inscription mentions the names of four Vedic Gods.
1. Indra
2. Varun
3. Mitra
4. Nasatya
The gods and their hymns and songs are mentioned in Rig Veda as well. So we can safely conclude the society was polytheistic and peaceful.
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Rigvedic age represented by texts prevalent at that time which includes Rigveda (1500BC), Zend Avesta (1400BC) and Homer’s Illiad and odyssey (900BC). These texts mention about the social, economic and religious life of rigvedic people i.e. Aryans.
Later vedic age, can be represented by social, political and economic development of Aryans from 1000BC onwards. Some later vedic texts like Shatpata Brahmana, Chandogya Upanishad, Brihdarnayaka Upanishad, Aittreya Brahmana etc mention about the social, political and economic life of later vedic people.
Social Changes: -
Rigvedic age :-
Social structure of Rigvedic based upon Kinship.
Chief of Tribe also called jana elected democratically by tribal council called sabha or samiti.
Egalitarian society mention about only 2 varna’s i.e. Arya Varna and Dasa Varna. Dasa were defeated by Aryas in Battle of 10 kings
Civil administration and judicial administration does not exist, as rigvedic people had pastoral community so they move from one place to another.
Later Vedic period
Kinship structure changed to kingship structure
Position of chief become hereditary.
Non-egalitarian society and varna system divided into 4 classes. i.e. Brahmana, Kshatriya, vaishyas and shudra. Aittreya Brahmana mention about the status and working of all 4 varnas.
Civil administration started as King was assisted with other high rank officials purohita, senani, chif queen, sngharitra, balisadhika.
Economic changes
Rigvedic age
Cattle was major source of wealth, and battles fought for cattle’s known as Gavisthi.
Scope of voluntary tribute i.e. bali was limited and community was not food producing economy so growth of other occupation was minimal and negligible presence of towns.
Knew sowing, harvesting and thrashing and grow majorly barley crop only
Later vedic age
Cattle were still the main source of wealth but other materialistic items like iron tools, jewellery etc also started gaining importance.
Voluntary tribute become compulsory and collected by balisadhika’s. With settled agriculture grow upto food producing economy which can support other occupations like carpenter, chariot maker, smiths, leather worker etc also and subsequently support for development of town known as nagara.
Grew majorly rice, wheat, and lentil also. Familiar with transplantation method also known as “Shali”.
Religious life
Rigvedic age
Major god were Indra, amruts, varuna, soma and some hymns for saraswati also.
Both varnas allowed participating in rituals and sacrifices.
Both varnas had same god, which usually were natural powers only.
Later vedic period
Rigvedic gods were replaced by other gods i.e. Prajapati, rudra, Vishnu.
Participation limited to 3 varnas, women and shudra were restricted to participate in any vedic ceremonies.
Every varna develop their own god.