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Political System
Phase I
- Every tribe has a leader who is elected i.e., it is not hereditary and is called `Rajan' a clear example of Republican way.
- Sabha, Samithi (tribal assemblies) are very much there & Rajan is answerable to these assemblies.
- Duties of Raja — Protect Jana (People), Pasti (Cattle).
- There is no concept of Janapada (Kingdom). No kingdoms were established (Pastoral economy, Nomadic life is the reason.
- Fierce inter-tribal wars were fought for cattle-lifting but not for territory. The term for .war in Rig Veda is `Gavisthi'.
- `Dasaragna' (Battle of Ten Kings) is the famous battle. mentioned in Rig Veda, this war was fought between Baratha clan and Kuru clan along with his 9 allies as a confederation. Thus, the battle was fought on the banks of Parushni River (raavi). The king of Bharatha was Sudama and he emerged victoriously.
- [Bharatha son of Shakuntala & Dushyanta; Shakunthala daughter of Vishwa Mitra & Menaka; every time a reference about Vishwamitra is made, but nothing is known about him; these are the only characters created by Great Kalidasa but not historical figures.]
- Various officers in administration and bureaucracy, these officers assist Rajan.
- Purohit
- Senapati
- Vrajapati (Pasture lands in charge)
- Gramani (Head of a Village)
- Source of income — Bali (it not a tax, but voluntary offering; tax concept hasn't evolved yet)
Phase II
- Janapada - Territorial states have formed, many kingdoms emerged.
- Monarchical System - It is not democratic but it is totally autocratic.
- Tribal identity is merged into territorial identity
- Primary goal is protecting territories
- The tax system was introduced: Bagha (share) is the tax, Bhagadug - Tax collector in Later Vedic Period. Sangrahitri is the treasure.
Religious Changes
Phase I
- Worship of natural forces — Plants, Earth, Sun, Moon, Water, Weather, Fire, and Wind
- Anthropomorphic and human characteristic are attributed to Gods.
- Indra -- He is personification of weather as well as war god
- Varuna -- Water
- Agni -- God of Fire
- Tvastri -- Volcano
- Vayu -- God of Wind
- Surya -- Sun
- Sama -- Plant
- Aswins -- Gods are Medicinal Plants
- Marut -- Gods of Thunder Storm
- Ushas -- Dawn
- Aditi -- Goddess of Earth
- Savitri -- Morning Light or Bright Light
- Methods of worshiping was very simple; through compiling and chanting prayers and through offerings like vegetables, flowers, soma, drink (It is a ritual drink and in particular to India who is also known as 'Somapa'.
- Rig Veda religion was highly materialistic.
Phase II
- Three Supreme Gods, have emerged — trinity
- Prajapati Later he became Brahma; Function -- Creator.
- Rudra -- He is a destroyer of Evils.
- Vishnu -- He the protector.
- Religion became ritualistic and animals sacrifices.
- Highly spiritual and speculative (nonmaterialistic).
