Economy
Phase -I
- Pastoral Economy (based on animal domestication) is primary. Agrarian is on a limited scale, secondary.
- In Rig Veda a food grain mentioned as 'Yava' (Wheat and Barley) was cultivated on a limited scale.
- A metal was also used called 'Aya' (Copper and Bronze) .
- Only Local trade & Commerce was carried on.
- A Jem mentioned in Rig Veda called 'Suvarna Nishka'; it served the purpose of a coin, believed by the scholars.
Phase -II
- Agrarian Economy is the primary reason because in this phase people moved towards Gangatic basic which are very fertile and virgin lands. Pastoral wasn't totally abandoned but on a limited scale.
- Vrihi a food grain, known as paddy is grown here.
- It was after 1000 BC iron began to be used this is called as 'Krishnaya' by later Vedic people.
- Much improved Trade & Commerce.
- Urbanization for the first time in the Indo-Gangatic basin has taken place. The first cities were
- Hastinapur, UP
- Kaushambi, UP (modern Kosam)
- Ahichachatra, UP (Modern Rae Bareli)
Society
Phase -I
- Patriarchal joint family system. Senior male member is the head of the family and called Kulapa.
- There is the class system but not a caste system. This hasn't emerged yet. Three classes were existing
i. Priest Classes
ii. Warrior Classes
iii. Commoners(Rest of the people)
- Social mobility and profession mobility freedom are given. Freedom to move between classes is there. Upward or downward mobility is possible. Professions are neither hereditary nor exclusive.
- Aslokain Purushasukta, that deals with 'caste system' that belongs to Rig Veda, it was added later.
- Interdining & interclass marriages much prevailed.
- Higher class/caste man marries lower class/caste woman it is called Anuloma (Hypergamous Marriage)
- Lower class/caste man marries higher class/caste woman it is called Pratiloma (Hypergamous Marriage)
Position of Women:
- Women are given independence, equality, and freedom. Society was more mature.
- Poly Andrey also practiced in Rig Vedic Period.
- No kind of gender domination, no gender discrimination.
- No child marriages.were allowed. There is a clear indication in one of Rig Veda hymn that marriage is allowed only after attaining puberty.
- Women were equally literate and intellectual. More than 20 women scholars were mentioned in Rig Veda. A women scholar named 'Gosha' means 'rishi' is very much respected. She didn't marry (a spinster) and spent her entire life in pursuit of education staying at parent's house.
- There are mentioning(s) of Sati but only symbolic not actually practiced.
- No reference about widow marriages, but not restricted. This can be said from a word 'Niyogi' is found in Rig Veda it means - A Widow can marry the brother of the deceased husband (In English Levitate).
- Karnataka & Andhra Pradesh was placed where 'Viragals' were found. Stone raised on tombs of soldiers dead in the war. They are also called hero stones. In Tamilnadu, these are called as 'Nadukkul'.
Phase II:
- Chaturvarna (four castes) system emerged.
i) Brahmanas
ii) Kshatriyas
iii) Vysyas
iv) Sudras
- Social mobility is completely checked. Upward/Downward movement is not allowed.
- No Inter-dining is allowed.
- Anuloma is legal but not Pratiloma.
- The off-springs of the Pratilorna marriage are called 'Chandala' (Scavenger).
- The dignity of women is no more seen. Complete suppression of women rights through various social evil practices.
- Child marriage is practiced. A text of this period says 'ideal marriage of a bride is a 1/3rd age of groom'.
- Sati became compulsory, widow marriages were tabooed.
- Polygyny is accepted but not polyandry.
