Economic Structure in the Rig Vedic Period

Rig Vedic Period (1500-1000 BC) 

The Rigveda provides information on the Vedic period’s history. The Rigveda paints a picture of a community like this during the Prac Harappan period. This era was contemporaneous with PGW culture. This is a rural way of life. When it comes to determining the period of the Rigveda, academics disagree.

There were no rituals in the Rig Vedic period, but Hindu rituals enhanced the recommendation of rites in the post-Vedic period. Sanskrit was the Aryans’ native tongue. The Vedas are liturgical scriptures that arose in the Kuru Kingdom and formed the foundation of modern-day Hinduism.

The Vedas are the most important source for understanding this period since they provide historical details about life at the time.

Agriculture as the Mainstay of the Aryan Economy

Agriculture was the mainstay of the economy. The inhabitants were well-versed in sowing, harvesting, threshing, and other agricultural seasons. The inhabitants were pastoral, and the cow, as well as cows and bulls, were revered. The priests were given gifts in the form of cows and enslaved women, not inland measurements.

It was the people’s primary occupation. The cornfield, known as ‘urbara’ or ‘kshetra,’ was ploughed by Bullock drawn ploughs. Irrigation and manure application systems were not unknown. Several Vedic hymns were written in honour of Gods and Goddesses who prayed for a good harvest, timely rain, or the welfare of domestic animals. The main products were barley and wheat. Oilseed and cotton plantations were also familiar terms at the time. Paddy was created on a small scale in life. Aryans, on the other hand, were true agriculturists who saw agriculture as their primary source of economic strength.

Craft and Technology

The other branches of economic progress, such as craft and technology, were not ignored by the Vedic Aryans. Indeed, they had demonstrated exceptional skill in woodworking, metallurgy, pottery, and tannery. Carpenters’ main products were chariots, automobiles, and boats. Metalworkers used to make a variety of ornaments and weapons. Spinning and weaving were handled by the waver community. There was a distinct class of artisans responsible for the preparation of leather items, mat-stitching, and horn-work. The existence of physicians who knew how to make remedies from diverse herbal plants is documented in Vedic literature.

Animal Husbandry

The economy of the early Vedic period was mostly agro-pastoral. Agriculture, like animal husbandry, played an important role in improving people’s living standards. Cattle-rearing was a prominent occupation, and the cow was seen as a source of wealth and economic prosperity by the Aryans. Gauda and Gopa were in charge of feeding cows, buffaloes, sheep, and other domesticated animals like horses, dogs, donkeys, and goats on a daily basis. The animals were given distinctive stamps by their owners to help them be identified among massive herds of cattle.

Trade and Commerce

Trade and commerce were major aspects of the early Vedic economy, which valued both internal and external trade equally. In the Rig Veda, we find unique prayers for achieving fortune through maritime pursuits. Pani was a guild of merchants who monitored and managed economic activity. The medium of weight was Mana, and the car was an important unit of commerce. The Aryans’ commercial vocation is evidenced by the Vedic descriptions of their sea trips and trade activity. 

Life During Rig Vedic Period

Vedic civilization was essentially centred on the hamlet. The village served as a barometer for civilization and culture. Village life was preferred by the Aryans over the lavish comforts of urbanisation. As a result, sustaining a decent fiscal standard was inevitably dependent on the rural economy. Agriculture and animal husbandry were at the heart of the rural economy. Art and craft, as well as trade operations, made a significant contribution to the early Vedic economic structure.

The Importance of Cow

The Cow Rig Vedic economy was essentially pastoral in nature. In contrast to Mriga, which were wild creatures, they tamed Pashu (which comprised cattle, horses, and even humans). Cattle were a symbol of prosperity, and a wealthy person was referred to as Gomata.

The importance of cattle was so great that war phrases like Gavisti, Gosu, Gavyat, and Gavyu were developed from it. Godhuli was a chronometer. The king was referred to as Gopa and Gopati. The daughter was referred to as Duhitri since she used to milk the cow. Gojata, or cow born, was one of the four types of gods.

Buffalo was given the names Gauri and Gavala (cow-haired) by the Vedic people when they discovered it in India.

The cattle seized during raids were distributed among the family. Cattle were a common type of contribution, and they may have also been included in Bali, the clan or vis members’ tribute to the raja. During the Rig Vedic period, livestock in general, and cows in particular, were the primary means of exchange.

Conclusion

Because of the significant contrasts and development of society from rig Vedic to later Vedic, historians have separated the Vedic period into two parts: rig Vedic and later Vedic. In summary, living during the Rig Vedic period was quite straightforward and simple for everyone. With the passage of time, Indian society deteriorated significantly, and the lives of women and the lowest castes became a living hell. This deterioration of society accelerated in subsequent ages, and it is now deeply embedded in the mentality of the people, as evidenced by the fact that caste and gender discrimination are still prevalent in Indian society.