Society, Polity and Economy as
reflected in Vedic Literature
VEDIC CIVILIZATION
• Around 1,500 BC, speakers of Indo-
European languages gradually infiltrated the
Indian subcontinent. These people referred
to themselves as Arya (Aryan). As historians
do not have much archaeological evidence
for this era, they rely on the sacred book of
hymns composed by these people. These
scared books are known as Vedas: hence
this lecture will refer to the Vedic Civilization.
• 1. Geographic
Expansion of
Aryan Civilization
from Indus Valley
to Gangetic Plain.
Aryans and Vedas
• Vedas
– A collection, in multiple volumes, of hymns,
rituals, and philosophies
– The vedas include stories that attempt to
explain how the world was created, who the
gods are, etc.
– Thought to be the earliest written texts
Vedic Literature
Meaning: The word
Veda is derived from
the root Vid, which
means to know. It is
specifically applied
to a branch of
literature which is
declared to be
sacred knowledge or
Divine Revelation.
• Composition:
The Vedic literature
consists of two parts:
Samhitas
Brahmanas
Brahmanas are further
divided into three parts:
Brahmanas (Pure)
Aranyakas
Upanishadas
1200 BCE-600 BCE.
written in
SANSKRIT.
Hindu core of
beliefs:
hymns and
poems.
religious prayers.
magical spells.
lists of the gods
and goddesses.
• The Vedic texts may be divided into two
broad chronological strata:
• The Early Vedic (1500- 1000 B.C.) when
most of the hymns of Rig Veda were
composed.
• The Later Vedic (1000- 600 B.C.) to which
belong the remaining Vedas and their
branches.
• Samhitas:
Rig Veda
Sama Veda
Yazur Veda
Atharva Veda
• Rig Veda:
Consists of 1028 hymns.
Oldest of all the Samhitas.
Throw light on the political, social and
economic aspects of Early Vedic People.
Famous Gayatri Mantra is there in it.
• Sama Veda:
Name is derived from Saman, that is song
or melody.
Consists of 1810 stanzas.
Called Book of Chants.
Origin of Indian music traced to it.
• Yazur Veda:
Consists of Various Hymns for the
purpose of Recitation and Rules to be
observed at the time of Sacrifice.
The two Royal ceremonies Rajasuya and
Vajapeya are mentioned for the first time
in it.
• Atharva Veda:
Means knowledge of Magic Formulas.
Contains charms and spells in verse to
ward off evils and diseases.
• Brahmanas:
They are books related with prayer and
sacrificial ceremony.
Attached with Samhitas.
Explanation of Samhitas.
• Aranyakas:
These forest books deals with mysticism and
symbolism of sacrifice.
Aranyakas contain transitional material
between the mythology and ritual of the
Samhitas and Brahmanas, on the one hand
and the philosophical speculations of the
Upanishadas on the other.
• Upanishadas:
Philosophical texts dealing with topics like
the Universal Soul, mysteries of Nature,
origin of the World and so on.
Lay stress on the value of right belief and
Knowledge.
Features of Vedic Culture
• Animal sacrifice:
The Vedic people offered meat to God and
in return asked for cattle wealth so that
their practice of sacrificing cattle and
eating meat might continue.
• Fire Cult and Fire Altar:
Fire was treated as an intermediary who
carried the libations offered to him to the
Gods.
Fire was worshipped in fire altar, which
also served as an oven in which food was
prepared for Gods.
• Soma Cult.
• Cremation.
• Male Dominance.
•EARLY VEDIC
CIVILIZATION
Sanskrit
writing
Polity or Political Organization
• Tribal Polity in the Rig
Veda:
The Aryans who entered
India were only groups of
semi- nomadic tribes.
They were unable to form
stable kingdoms. The
basic elements of state
like the fixed territory, a
regular source of income
and the standing army
was not there.
Duties of the Ruler
• No autocrat
• Powers limited by the will of the people
• Look after material welfare of the subjects
• Guard from foreign invasions
• Impart justice
• Punish criminals
• Maintain law and order
CHIEF OFFICIALS
• PUROHITA
• GRAMANI
• SENANI
Vedic Civilization : Social Status
of Women
• 1. Equal Access to
Learning.
• 2. Right to Public
Speaking.
• 3. Women Seers and
Composers of Hymns.
• 4. Right to Marry in
accordance with
Personal Choice.
History of South Asia:
Ancient India Prof. Subho Basu
Vedic Civilization : Social Status
of Women
• [Link] to Inherit
Property.
• 6. Marriage as the
main form of
Institution.
• 7. Patriarchal Family
Structure and the
Control of Husbands
over wives.
History of South Asia:
Ancient India Prof. Subho Basu
Social Life
• VARNA SYSTEM
• EDUCATION SYSTEM
•LATER VEDIC
CIVILIZATION
POLITY
The tribal state of Rig Vedic period tended to
assume territorial character in the later vedic
period. This was indeed the result of settled
life. The community took to agricultural life and
this facilitated the regular payment of tribute to
the chief or to the raja. The priests invented
the rituals to secure the reluctant tribal
peasantry’s permanent subordination to Raja.
KINGSHIP
• In the later Vedic period, Royal power
increased due to the amalgamation of
tribes and increase in the size of kingdom.
King performed various rituals like
Rajasuya and Aswamedha sacrifices to
strengthen his position.
• Rajasuya Sacrifice:
Ratnahavimsi ceremony.
Devasuhavimsi ceremony.
Abhishek.
Investiture.
Beating ceremony.
OFFICIALS
SENANI
GRAMANI
PUROHITA
SUTA (CHARIOTEER)
SAMAGRIHATRI (TREASURER)
BHAGADUGA (COLLECTOR OF TAXES)
AKSHAVAPA (SUPERINTENDANT OF
GAMBLING)
JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION
• ADHYAKSHAS OR OVERSEERS
• GRAMYAVADIN
ARMY
• INFANTRY
• CAVALRY
• ARCHERS
• CHARIOTS
• ELEPHANTS
ECONOMIC CONDITION
• ANIMALS
• AGRICULTURE
• INDUSTRY
• MEANS OF TRANSPORT
SOCIAL PATTERNS OF LIFE
• VARNA SYSTEM OR SOCIAL
DIVISIONS:
BRAHMANA
KSHATRIYA
VAISYA
SUDRA
Varna (Social Hierarchy)
Brahmins
Kshatriyas
Vaishyas
Shudras
Pariahs [Harijan] Untouchables
The Caste
System Brahmins
WHO IS… Kshatriyas
The mouth?
The arms? Vaishyas
The legs?
The feet?
Shudras
What is a JATI?
Later Vedic Civilization
Social Status of Women
• 1. Women Barred
from Religious Ritual.
• 2. The Emphasis on
the Reproductive
Function of Women.
• [Link] of Social
Status with the rise of
Organized State and
Caste System.
History of South Asia:
Ancient India Prof. Subho Basu
16 Sanskaras
• Garbhadaan
• Punsavan
• Simantonayan
• Jaat karma
• Naamkaran
• Niskarman
• Anna- prassan
• Chudakarma
• Karna vidh
• Vidyarambh
• Yajnopavit
• Vedarambh
• Keshanta
• Samavartan
• Vivaha
• Antyeshthi
Annaprashan
Karnavedhan
Mundan
Vedarambh
Vivaha
Antyeshthi
MARRIAGE
• 8 FORMS ARE PREVALENT
• THE BRAHMA
• DAIVA
• ARSHA
• PRAJAPATYA
• GANDHARVA
• ASURA
• RAKSHASA
• PAISHACHA
Ashramas
Ashramas are the four stages of life through which
Hindu men move in order to gather positive
spiritual karma. Each stage requires the Hindu to
focus on a particular dharma (duty). The four
stages are:
Brahmacharya – The duty of student life.
Grihastha – The duty of married life.
Vanaprastha – The duty of spiritual life.
Sanyasa – The duty of holy life.
Although these stages are for men, Hinduism
teaches that women should also have an active
social and religious life.
Brahmacharya
The Brahmacharya stage of a Hindu life takes place
in adolescence. Throughout this stage, the Hindu
is celibate (which means he avoids sexual
activity), and dedicates himself to the study of
Hinduism through the Vedas.
During this stage, the Hindu lives with, and is
devoted to, a particular guru. He should live
simply and humbly, learning the customs, rituals
and practices needed to worship the gods.
Grihastha
‘Grihastha’ means ‘householder’. This stage begins
with marriage. The duties of this phase of life
include raising children, caring for the family,
performing five sacrifices a day to a god, and
being a responsible member of society.
When these duties are completed, at around the
age of 50, Hindus are then able to enter the
Vanaprastha stage.
Vanaprastha
After going through married life, a Hindu is expected
to leave his family and engage in spiritual pursuits.
This is called the Vanaprastha stage.
Husband and wife stay together through this stage to
aid each other’s spiritual progression. Ideally, they
travel together to holy places of pilgrimage such as
Vindraban Varanasi.
Sanyasa
The Sannyasa stage involves renouncing the worldly life and
focusing upon discovery of one’s own true self. A Hindu who
enters this stage is called a sannyasin. A sannyasin tries his
best to free his mind of desire, expectation and worry.
It is traditional for a sannyasin to take a vow of non-possession
and live a simple life. He may give up his job and even decide
to accept alms (money or goods freely given to help the
sannyasin).
This decision should be made only after calm and deliberate self-
examination and reflection, and the candidate must declare
his intention to the priests and gurus.
• INSTITUTION OF GOTRAS.
• POSITION OF WOMEN.
• GUILDS
• SLAVERY
