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