Economic Structure in Early Vedic Period

The period in the late bronze epoch and early iron epoch of history in India is called the Vedic period or the Vedic age. The Vedic culture is divided into two ages: the early Vedic period, also known as Rigveda, and the later Vedic period, also known as the Epic age. Historically the early Vedic age is dated from 1500c– 1100 BCE. In the early Vedic culture, people praised different natural forms as gods like the sun, earth, moon, wind, rain, and other natural occurrences. Since the early Vedic period, there was no scientific clarification for natural occurrences like rain, thunder, wind, etc.; people feared them and therefore worshipped them. During the early Vedic cultures, the people were relatively impartial in perceiving that a definite ranking of social and economic categories or castes was absent. The life of the people in this period was pastoral. Agriculture, along with animal husbandry, played a crucial role in strengthening the economic standard of the people. Goods trading was done using a barter system.

Administrative system 

In early Vedic culture, political organisations are seen, such as many tribes (Jana’s) led by Rajan. The tribes of the early Vedic period comprised many villages (gramas), and each grama compromised many families. Rajan was the head of the tribe and was elected by the people. Rajan helped to keep the tribes safe from enemies. Women could also take part in political activities. In early Vedic culture, women played a very important role in society. In Vedic culture Monogamy concept (only one wife) is seen, no child marriage and even widows were allowed to marry any male they wanted. In early Vedic culture, a joint family system was also seen, as women played an essential role in early Vedic culture, so the women also got equal rights as men have. There was no sex discrimination seen in Vedic culture.

Village And Agriculture

People lived in villages in the early Vedic period and were generally pastoral people. Bamboo was used to make the house, the roofs were made of straw and reeds, and clay was used for making the floor. Rajan was the head of the tribe and was elected by the people. Rajan helped to keep the tribes safe from enemies. Women could also take part in political activities. In early Vedic culture, women played a very important role in society. The people being primarily pastoral, the principal occupation of the people at that time was agriculture. They used pairs of ox in ploughing the fields. Even the Rig Veda mentions using twenty-four oxen when ploughing the land. The cultivated land was known as Urvara or Kshetra. To supply the fields with water, an irrigation canal was dug. The use of manure was known to them. Not only rice was extensively cultivated, but also cotton and oilseed. Their primary source of income was agriculture. 

Domestication of animals

Apart from agriculture, one of their essential means of living is cattle breeding. In Vedas, there are prayers for cattle. Cows were kept with great respect and were considered the symbol of wealth and prosperity. For Aryans, the keeping and rearing of cows, buffaloes, goats, sheep, etc., were common. The sites of their Pasteur were properly maintained.

Caste System 

There were four traditional castes under which various subcategories evolved. The Brahmins and Kshatriyas were considered the two topmost castes among the general population known as Vaisyas. There was intense discrimination against Sudras. The Brahmins were considered scholars and priests. They maintained a standard of stature and knew to perform the rituals. 

The Kshatriyas were considered warriors whose primary duties were military conquests and administration of the kingdom. They also composed hymns and made sacrifices. 

Vaisyas were mainly engaged in trading, agriculture, and animal husbandry. Although richer ones were highly respected, they did not enjoy the same privileges as the Brahmins and Kshatriyas. 

Conditions of the Sudras were miserable. Their ties were severed from the rest of the castes. They had no right to perform sacrifices or read ritual texts.

Dress and Ornaments

The dresses and nishka (ornament) of the Aryans were made from deerskin, wool, and cotton. The garments comprising three parts were called ‘nivi’, and the garment was called ‘vasa’ or ‘paridhan’. A sleeveless shawl was also worn, especially by women, called a mantle. Both men and women used to wear nishka (ornaments). The women used necklaces, earrings, bangles, and anklets made of precious stones. The men kept a beard and moustache, and both men and women oiled and combed their hair.

Conclusion

The late bronze epoch and early iron epoch of history are called the Vedic period. The Vedic culture is divided into two ages: the early Vedic period, also known as Rigveda, and the later Vedic period, also known as the Epic age. There was no scientific clarification for natural occurrences like rain, thunder, wind, etc. People feared them and thus worshipped them. In early Vedic culture, women played a very important role in society. In Vedic culture Monogamy concept (only one wife) was seen, no child marriage, and even widows were allowed to marry any male they wanted. The economy in the Early Vedic period was supported by animal husbandry, and pastoral agriculture land was deemed important. Cows were held with great respect and were considered the symbol of wealth and prosperity. For Aryans, the keeping and rearing of cows, buffaloes, goats, sheep, etc., were common.