12 Questions
What was the basic unit of value in large transactions in the Vedic period?
Cow
What was the penalty for killing or injuring cows in the Rig Vedic period?
Death or expulsion from the kingdom
What was the type of economy that existed in the Rig Vedic period?
Subsistence type
What was the only metal known to the Rig Vedic people?
Ayas
What was the basis of both social and political organizations in the early Vedic period?
The Kula (family)
What was the type of system of government that existed in the early Vedic period?
Tribal system
What was the role of Tribal assemblies in the election of the King or Rajan?
Tribal assemblies played an important role in the election of the King or Rajan.
Who assisted the king in the day-to-day administration?
The king was assisted by functionaries such as Purohita (priest), Senani (military chief), Vrajapati (head of pasture land), and Gramani (head of the village).
What were the two main duties of the king?
The king's duties were to protect his land and people from outside enemies and to serve and please the people.
What was the main source of income for the king?
The main source of income for the king was Bali, a voluntary donation made by the subjects.
What was the classification of gods in the Rig Veda?
The classification of gods in the Rig Veda was into three groups: Terrestrial, Aerial or Intermediate, and Celestial.
What was the significance of the Ashvamedha sacrifice?
The Ashvamedha sacrifice was a symbol of a king's unquestioned control over the area in which the royal horse ran uninterrupted for a year.
Study Notes
Economy and Society
- Cow was the basic unit of value in large transactions and the most important form of wealth.
- The cow was considered sacred and not to be killed, with a penalty of death or expulsion from the kingdom for those who did so.
- The economy was mainly subsistence-based, with no clear evidence of trade.
- The only metal known to the Rig Vedic people was Ayas, which some scholars identify as copper or bronze.
Settlements and Architecture
- The Aryans possibly lived in fortified mud settlements, which still await identification by archaeologists.
- They were also familiar with caves in mountains.
- A 13-roomed mud house found at Bhagwanpur in Haryana suggests a house for a large extended family or a tribal chief.
Government and Politics
- A tribal system of government existed during the early Vedic period.
- The Kula (family) was the basis of both social and political organizations.
- The hierarchy of government consisted of:
- Grama (village) and Gramani
- Vis (clan) and Vispati
- Jana (tribe) and Gopa/Gopati
- Rashtra (state) and Rajan
- Five famous Janas mentioned in the Rig Veda are Yadu, Anu, Puru, Drahyu, and Turvasa.
- The king was assisted by functionaries, including the Purohita (priest), Senani (military chief), Vrajapati (head of pasture land), and Gramani (head of the village).
Checks and Balances
- The powers of the king were checked by four assemblies:
- Sabha (assembly of elders) performed executive functions
- Samiti (general assembly of adults)
- Vidatha (oldest folk assembly, where women played a crucial role)
- Gana (assemblies in the republic)
King's Duties and Responsibilities
- The king's two main duties were:
- Protection of his land and people from outside enemies
- Serving and pleasing the people
- The king did not maintain a standing army, but collected a militia in times of war, with military functions performed by various tribal groups.
Religion
- The religion of the Vedic Aryans was a form of nature worship.
- The mighty elements of Nature were regarded as gods by the Aryans.
- A triple classification of gods is hinted at in the Rig Veda:
- Terrestrial (Prithvisthan) - Prithvi, Agni, Soma
- Aerial or Intermediate (Antariksha-sthana or Madhya-sthana) - Indra, Vata, Rudra
- Celestial (Dyusthana) - Varun, Mitra, Vishnu
- Indra, Varun, and Agni occupy the highest position among the Vedic gods.
- Female deities include:
- Ushas (goddess of dawn, the most important female divinity)
- Aditi (great mother of gods)
- Prithvi (earth goddess)
Sacrifices
- Chief sacrifices included:
- Asvamedha (unquestioned control of a king over an area in which the royal horse ran uninterrupted for a year)
- Rajasuya (conferred supreme power on the king)
- Vajapeya (mentioned in the Rig Veda)
Explore the economic and social structures of the Rig Vedic period, including the significance of cows, penalties for harming them, and the types of metals known to the Aryans. Learn about the subsistence economy and the consumption of drinks like Sura and Soma.
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