Question

write a detailed note on family and lineage system under later Vedic period(600Words).​

Answer 1

Answer:

The kingdom in the later Vedic period became much larger than in the early Vedic period. Ashvamedha (horse sacrifices) were performed and the ideal of setting up empires gained popularity with the kings. It may be noted that no real conquest was really made and tribes like Kuru, Panchalas, Kosalas and Videhas were never amalgamated into a single tribe.

1. Kingship:

Monarchy continued to be the prevailing system of government in the later Vedic period. The post of the king became hereditary. In the case of Srinjayas we hear that the monarchy lasted for 10 generations. In the later Vedic texts a number of theories regarding the origin of State and kingship have been offered.

For example, in the Aitareya Brahmana we are told that there was a war between the gods and demons. In this war the gods suff­ered several reverses.

Ultimately they analyse the situation and reached the conclusion that their defeat was due to a lack of common king. Therefore, they decided to make Soma their king and ulti­mately scored a victory over the demons. This story clearly shows that the kingship was evolved out of political necessity and the king was elected.

Similarly in Satapatha Brahmana we get a reference, which points out that before the State was created people were living in the State of nature. During the state of nature might was right and the life was insecure. With a view to get rid of these uncertain conditions people elected a king who promised them security of life and property in return for a tribute.

These references in the later Vedic literature clearly indicate that the scientific spirits of enquiry into the political and social institutions had come into existence.

During the later Vedic period kingship came to be attached with element of divinity. In Atharva Veda king Parikshat has been described as god amongst men. Similarly in the Aitareya Brahmana the victories of the king had been attributed to the favour of Lord indra.

The Samiritis and Puranas have also definitely claimed divi­nity for the king. For example. Manu clearly declares that the king is great divinity in human form. His body is formed by the Creator by taking particles from the bodies of divine guardians of the eight quarter.

Again the Bhagavata Purana says that a number of divinities reside in the person of king. It states that various sacrifices performed by the king like Ashvamedha and Vajapeya ena­bled the king to obtain parity with the gods. It may be noted that though the king was given the element of divinity his powers did not become absolute. He was required to respect the laws of the land and could not behave in an autocratic manner.

There were certain other limitations also on the authority of the king. The king could also be elected and there are references in Atharva Veda of his expulsion, re-election and restorations to the throne. The king had to take an oath of loyalty to the constitution and law at the time of his coronation. There is also the mention of king taking approval or Anumati of the earth.

The Sabha and the Samiti also acted as a check on the king. These two bodies have been described as the twin daughters of God Prajapati, and therefore, were no less divine creations than the kingship.

The presence of the Ministers and other officers, though merely as Advisors, was also another check on the authority of the king. Finally, the king could not afford to by-pass the well-established customs without endangering his own position.

2. Sabha and Samiti:

Sabha and Smiti which were very power­ful instrument during the early Vedic period, declined in importance and power during the later Vedic period. Probably the Sabha no more transacted any political business and was merely a judicial body.

Similarly we do not find any mention of the Samiti in the Parnarti Samhita and Brahmanas, although it is mentioned in the Upanishad. The decline of these two popular bodies was mainly due to the enormous expansion of the power of the king.

3. Officers of the King:

With the establishment of the large kingdom the need for an elaborate and efficient administrative system was naturally felt. Therefore, we come across a number of new officers who advised the king. These officials were called Ratnins.

The Taittiriya texts have mentioned the following officials with whose help and cooperation the king ruled:

(1) Brahmana (the Purohita),

(2) Rajanya (noble),

(3) Mahishi (chief queen),

(4) Vavata (favorite wife),

(5) Parivrikti (descended wife),

(6) Sute (charioteer),

(7) Senani (commander of the army),

(8) Gramani (village headman),

(7) Kshattri (chamberlain),

(10) Samgrabitri (treasurer),

(11) Bhagdugha (collector of taxes), and

(12) Akshavepa (superintendent of dicing).