Vedic Culture
Vedic Culture
Vedic Culture
Sources
1. Vedas
IMP TO MENTION
l
Economy
Pastoral , cattle rearing >>>>> pastoralism
Hymns – imp , GAU(wealth [rayi ]and value) – gomat
gavishti , gavsena , gavyat
Term cow – 176 times , DUHITRA
Horse – imp reared by early Aryans , asva- sans, avesta , greek
etc , 215 times , dominated by horse riding chieftancy
- Occupations ; AYAS ,
- produce ? yava/barley , BARLEY , RICE NOT
Trade – barter system , used-3 , “PANI” clothes-leather , unit of
exchange >>> nascent currency , FISHING
Nascent - beginning to exist; not yet completely developed
POLITY
Socio political unit
- Terms , vish , gana , kul
- Kulapa, grama , gramini , jana
- Panchjana , PURUS and BHARATAS
Rajan
- Chieftain , it isn’t clear , protect
- Gopa , Gopati
- Purohita – vasistha , vishwamitra
Assemblies
- Sabha(kin based , SABHAVATI) , samiti , vidhata
RELIGION
SOCIETY
The early Vedic society was a tribal society in which social relations based on kinship
ties were predominant. The society was not divided on caste lines and occupation
was not based on birth. Even the Rajans and the Purohits were part of the clan
network
TRIBE - The tribe was referred to as the jana and many references to the different
tribes are found in the Rigveda. Inter-tribal conflicts were frequent, an example
being the battle of the Ten Kings mentioned in the Rigveda. Some of the tribes,
which fought in this battle were the Bharatas, the Purus, the Yadus, the Druhyus, the
Anus and the Turvasus
RAJA - The chief of the tribe was the raja or the gopati. He was the leader in battle
and the protector of the tribe. His office, was not based on heredity, but he was
selected from amongst the clansmen. The warrior category was the "rajanya".
Family - The basic social unit was the Kula, or the family, and the Kulapa i.e. 'one
who protects the family' denoted the eldest male member or the head of the family.
Patriarchal
- Society was patriarchal. The birth of a son was the common desire of the
people. The importance given to the male members is reflected in the
hymns, where the desire for a son is a constant prayer. Even though
society was patriarchal, women had also important position in it.
They .were educated and they had access to the assemblies.
There'are also instances of women who composed hymns.
They had a right to choose their partners, and could marry late.
However women were always thought to be dependent on
their fathers, brothers or husbands.
Education was imparted orally, but the tradition of education
was not very well developed in this period.
VARNA - The word "Varna" occurs in many places and usually means light or colour.
However, in some passages it is associated with Aryas and Dasas. The Rig Veda
describes them as a
vrata (people who don't obey ordinances or God) and a-
kratu (those who don't perform sacrifices).
The association of certain terms with them in the Rig Veda also indicates
they were dark skinned. In some places, Dasas have also been described as
"Anasa". This may mean either noseless (Flat- nosed), mouthlesss (whose
speech is incomprehensible) or faceless (some metaphor).
MARRIAGE - The Rig Veda had attached a lot of importance to marriage, and refers
to 3 types of marriage- monogamy, polygyny and polyandry. There was post puberty
marriage and sometimes women chose their husbands. A women could also remarry
if she lost her husband and there are references of unmarried women as well.
Agriculture - was the chief means of livelihood and people lead a settle life in the later Vedic
age .
- Improved methods of fertilisation, sowing, ploughing and manuring were
known to the Aryans.
- Ploughing was done with the help of wooden ploughshare.
- The “satpatha brahmana” (BOOK) speaks at length about the applying
rituals.
- Even kings and princes did not hesitate to take to manual labour.
PRODUCTION - The Vedic people continued to produce barley, but during this period rice
(vrihi) and wheat (godhuma) became their chief crops.
- In subsequent times, wheat became the staple food of the people in
Punjab and western Uttar Pradesh.
- Various kinds of lentils were also produced in the later Vedic age.
- The agricultural produce came to be offered in the rituals (especially
rice).
IRON –
Iron was used extensively in this period (around 1000 BCE), and this enabled people to
clear forests (upper Gangetic basin) and bring more land under cultivation. The metal is
called Syama or Krishna Ayas in the later Vedic texts.
Trade
The growth of civilization and the beginning of urbanisation favoured the increase of trade
and commerce. Both domestic and overseas trading were introduced. Inland trade was
done with the people living in the mountains for clothes and skins in exchange for herbs.
Taxes-
Tax system was an important source of revenue for the ruling class.
Farmers paid taxes to the rulers in the form of share of their produce.
- In the later Vedic age, collection of taxes and tributes was made
compulsory and was done by Sangrihitri. It is worth mentioning that the
Vaisyas were the tribute payers in the later Vedic times.
Animal husbandry
Along with agriculture, animal husbandry was also significant. The keeping and rearing of
cows, buffaloes, goats, sheep, etc. was a common practice. The sites of their pastures were
properly maintained.
1. CRAFT SPECIALIZATION ----- Diverse arts and crafts proliferated during
the later Vedic age and craft specialisation took deep roots. The later
Vedic people were good smiths and smelters as a lot of copper objects
have been found at PGW sites. Tin, lead, silver, bronze, gold, iron and
copper were known to the people. Many occupational groups have been
mentioned in this period e.g., stone breakers, jewellers, astrologers,
physicians, etc.
Some of the other minor gods of the Rig Vedic period also came to
the forefront.
Rudra, the god of animals, became important in later Vedic
times, and
Vishnu came to be conceived of as the “preserver and
protector” of the people who now led a settled life rather than
a semi-nomadic one.
There was emergence of the concept of karma and
reincarnation.
Towards the end of the later Vedic age, a strong reaction began to emerge
against the priestly domination, against cults and rituals. The philosophical
texts criticized the rituals and laid stress on the value of right belief and
knowledge. The rise of Buddhism and Jainism was the result of a revolt
against the sacrifices, the varna system and other rituals.
Large kingdoms- jana,tribe ,royal power , wars not cows
King – kshatriya , elections , hereditary , names
Rituals- 3
Sabha and samiti – sabha , member , head , keeper
No vidhata , assemblies , changes ss
Complexity – names
Legal institutions
SOCIETY