the vedic culture: the rigvedic age
Post on 12-Jan-2016
80 Views
Preview:
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
THE VEDIC CULTURE: THE RIGVEDIC AGE
Original home of the AryansSome of them think they are original inhabitants of India
Some regard them as invaders who destroyed the superior civilization of the original inhabitant’s whom they drove beyond the Vindhyas.
Original home of the AryansHistorians agree that the original home of the Aryans was in central Asia in regions around the Caspian sea.
Original home of the AryansThey might have been forced to migrate due to shortage of food and fodder to seek settlement in other lands.
Aryans who came to India are called ‘Indo-Aryans’.
Spread of Aryans in
India
Spread of Aryans in India
Aryans first settled in PunjabFounded their first settlements on the banks of the rivers Indus [Sindu] & Saraswathi [which has since dried up]
Spread of Aryans in India
While driving the ‘Dasyus’ beyond the Vindhyas and thus gained the occupation of more and more land in the eastern & northern parts of the country –they renamed it as ‘Aryavarta’ [abode of the Aryans]
Life of the Aryans
Life of the Aryans
Evidence of the Aryans are found in the ‘Vedas’
‘Vedas’-means knowledge
Different vedas are:
Rigveda – most ancientYajurvedaSamavedaAtharvaveda
Social life
Social life
• Family life
• Food
• Games & Amusements
• Dress
• The Varnas /Castes
Family lifeLived in joint familiesThey followed the patriarchal
familyGrihapati- eldest male
member in the family who exercised full authority over all the members.
Family life
It was his duty to perform sacrifices or Yajnas
Women also occupied a position of honour – their presence was essential at all religious ceremonies. They were given right education & some even composed the Rigvedic hymns
Food
Simple but nourishingWheat and barley cakes, milk & milk products like butter, ghee, curd, Cheese.
Games & Amusements
Found leisure for enjoymentFond of merry-making & pastimes
Favourite amusement – horseracing, chariot racing, hunting
Games & Amusements
Fascination for gambling with dice [this game has been referred to in the Rigveda as leading to ruins and slavery].
Loved music & played on a flute which resembled the ‘Vina’
Dress
Simple & generally consisted of 3 parts –
Undergarment nivi/dhoti Garment vasa/shirt Over-garment adhivasa
/mantle/cloak of cotton & wool
Dress
Turbans were also commonly used by them
Adorned their persons with gold & silver ornaments garlands & wreaths of flowers jewels etc.
Ornaments were worn by men & women
The Varnas /CastesDivided into 4 VarnasBrahmanas priests were
learned people who performed sacrifices
Kshatriyas ruling class or warriors
The Varnas /CastesVaishyas trading class-
farmers, goldsmiths, weavers, potters etc
Shudras descendants of Dasyus –serve the 3 higher varnas
Economic life: their
occupations
Economic life: their occupations
• Agriculture
• Domestication of animals
• Trade
• Discovery of Iron
• Other occupations and Industries
Agriculture
Primary occupation was cultivation of land
Agricultural products – barley, wheat, rice, cotton, oilseeds
Agriculture
Source of irrigation water – wells, canals, sometimes from lakes
People depended upon rainsFields cultivated by a pair of oxen.
Domestication of animalsDomestication of animals was another important occupation
Wealth and prosperity depended on the possession of a large number of animals [especially cows – which was held in great esteem]
Domestication of animalsOther animals domesticated
bulls, oxen, horses, sheep, goats,
asses, & dogs.
TradeThey were not indifferent to trade & commerce.
Barter system – exchange of articles was in vogue
Cow was regarded as the standard of value. [value of things was measured in terms of cows]
Trade
Coinage known as “Nishka” was also prevalent
Trade was mainly carried on by road.
Trade by sea was not quite unknown
Discovery of IronGreatest contribution of the civilization is discovery of iron
Iron was – a hard & tough metal hence better suited for making tools & weapons compared to copper or bronze
Iron was used in making axe-heads – used for clearing jungles and making land fit for cultivation
Discovery of Iron
Other products made were sickles, hoes, plough-heads
Led to the development of various arts & crafts like carpentry, black-smithy, tannery etc.
Discovery of IronIron tools helped sculptor in creating exquisite specimens of sculptures and rock-cut temples.
Different rulers equipped their armies with different weapons such as swords, shields, arrow-heads, spear-heads etc.- laid the foundation of vast empires.
Other occupations and Industries
Indulged in many other professions & occupations
Chief industries referred to in the Rigveda – carpenters, goldsmiths, blacksmiths, weavers, leather’s, potters & physicians.
Other occupations and Industries
All work for the benefit of the people as a whole
No profession was inferior & below dignity
Government or political life
Government or political life
Status of the KingMinisters and the KingThe Sabha & SamitiMode of warfare
Status of the KingRigvedic Aryans lived in tribes called ‘Janas’
Each Jana had its own ruler called ‘Rajan”
Kingship was generally hereditary.
Status of the KingElected monarchies were not unknown
People could select a worthy monarch of their own choice from among the members of the royal family or the nobility when situation demanded
Ministers and the KingKing was assisted by a number of
ministers likePurohita religious adviserSenani leader of the army
& helped king against his enemies.
Ministers and the KingAll ministers & officials were all men of high character & exercised a sort of great check on the autocracy of the king
King was helpless without ministers as a bird without its wings.
The Sabha & SamitiThe tribes were further divided into ‘Gramas’ or the villages
King also consulted the ‘Gramini’[village headman]
Important matters were put before the two assemblies called the Sabha & Samiti.
The Sabha & SamitiAnybody could give his suggestions in the Samiti
Membership of the Sabha was restricted to the elders of the families
Group of villages inhabited by the people of a tribe was called the ‘Vish’ hence the king was also known as ‘Vishpati’ [lord of the ‘Vish’]
Mode of warfareThey were good warriors [developed a high standard of warefare.
King & nobles fought on chariotsCommon people fought on foot
Mode of warfareWarriors wore a coat of - armour, a helmet, a hand & arm guard.
For offence they used swords, spears, axes, lances, bows & arrows [some times poisoned]
Mode of warfareHelmets, armours & shields were used for defence
They never attacked or wounded an unarmed or sleeping enemy
It was considered a sin to kill a person who did not take part in a battle
top related