Political Structure in the Early Vedic Period

The Early Vedic Period or the Rig Vedic period lasted from 1500 BC  to 1000 BC. The societies in this time were mostly patriarchal, and the eldest male was the head of a family.

A family was a basic unit of political organisation and was termed as a ‘kula’. The head of the family was called a ‘Kulapa’. A ‘grama’ was formed when many such families came together. A village headman called a ‘Gramini’ was responsible for leading a ‘grama’. A ‘visu’ was formed by a group of villages. A ‘Vishayapati’ headed the ‘visu’. A community was formed by a group of ‘visu’. A community in the Rig Vedic age was known as a ‘Jana’, which was the highest level in the administrative stratification.

Rajan

The head of a community or a ‘Jana’ was also known as the ‘Rajan’. The people regarded the Rajan as their protector rather than a king. In this period, there was no real king or a proper state structure. Rajan was also known as ‘Gopati Janasya’ or ‘Janasya Gopa’ since he was regarded as a leader. 

The wars in this period were fought mostly for the control of cattle wealth and not for territory. These wars were fought by Rajan on behalf of his ‘Jana’. There were two assemblies called the ‘Sabha’ and the ‘Samiti’ which helped the Rajan make important decisions. 

The Rajan was also assisted by a ‘Purohita’ in day-to-day administration. Since there was no concept of state territory, the Rajan did not maintain an army.

Sabha and Samiti

The term ‘Sabha’ referred to an assembly in the Rig Vedic period. The elder members of the ‘Jana’ took part in the ‘Sabha’. This assembly was also attended by women known as ‘Sabhavati’. In the later Vedic period, however, women stopped attending the ‘Sabha’.

Music, dance, magic, and witchcraft were also practised at the ‘Sabha’ along with dicing and gambling. This assembly performed administrative and judicial functions, exercised its judicial authority, and also discussed pastoral affairs.

The political business and discussions performed in the folk assembly were known as ‘Samiti’. The ‘Samiti’ was responsible for electing the ‘Rajan’. Apart from political business, the ‘Samiti’ also discussed philosophical issues. Prayers and religious ceremonies were a major concern for this assembly. This assembly, however, gained importance only towards the end of the Early Vedic period.

Vidhata

Vidhata was the earliest tribal assembly. The term ‘Vidhata’ has been repeated in the Rig Vedas 122 times and, therefore, seems like the most important assembly. The purpose of this assembly was to make decisions for secular, military, economic, social, and religious purposes. 

The participation of women in the ‘Sabha’ is indicated only once in the Rig Veda. However, there is a frequent mention of the participation of women in the ‘Vidhata’. Women also took part in the discussions of the assembly. 

This was the earliest folk assembly of the Rig Vedic period. The different clans and tribes used the ‘Vidhata’ as a common ground for the worship of their Gods.

The Officials

 

Some important officials like the ‘Purohit’, ‘Gramani’ and ‘Senani’ assisted the Rajan. Out of all the officials, the position of a ‘Purohit’ was the most respectable and prestigious. This position was usually inherited by the son of the ‘Purohit’ himself.

The ‘Purohit’ was regarded as a spiritual teacher of the Rajan. He was also the chief advisor and accompanied Rajan when he went to war. The ‘Purohit’ also prayed to God for the victory and safety of Rajan. ‘Vasishta’ and ‘Vishwamitra’ were two of the most famous Purohits in the Early Vedic period.

The ‘Gramani’ was the village officer, and the ‘Senani’ was responsible for commanding the military. The role of both ‘Gramani’ and ‘Senani’ was equally influential, and both had to be present when Rajan took his oath.

Some other officials who assisted the Rajan were ‘Suta’ (charioteer), ‘Akshavapa’ (was the chief accountant), ‘Mahishi’ (was the chief queen), ‘Bhagadudha’ (collected revenue), ‘Sangrahita’ (the treasurer), ‘Palagala’ (messenger), ‘Kaata’ (lord of the royal household), and ‘Govikarta’ (forest chief). Thus, it can be seen that the seeds of modern administration were sown in the early Vedic period.

Conclusion 

The basic unit of the political structure in the early Vedic period was a family or a ‘Kula’. Several families came together to form a ‘Grama’. Several ‘Grama’ came together to form ‘Visu’, and several ‘Visu’ came together to form a ‘Jana’, which was the highest level in administrative stratification.

A ‘Jana’ was headed by a ‘Rajan’ who was regarded as the head and protector of the people. Two assemblies, called the ‘Sabha’ and ‘Samiti’, helped the Rajan in taking decisions regarding several matters. The ‘Sabha’ was formed by the old members of the tribe, while the ‘Samiti’ was the folk assembly.