Political and Social Organisation in the Vedic Period

After the destruction of the Indus Valley Civilisation, the groups of people who belonged to the Indo-Aryan category started migrating to the North-Western part of India. It was here that they started dwelling in the areas of northern Indus Valley. The origination of Indo-Aryans can be traced back to the Indo-Iranian tribes of the Andronovo horizon. Nonetheless, some historians deny the migration and believe in the indigenous origin of the Indo-Aryans. Rig Veda has provided the necessary details about the political, social, economic and cultural structure of the Indo-Aryans during their settlement in India in the Vedic Period. Being composed of four social groups and the dominance of Warriors and Brahmins, the political and social structure of the Vedic period stands complex. 

Political Organisation of the Vedic Period 

Initially, the Indo-Aryans of the Vedic Period were inhabited to live on the land named Sapta Sindhu. It was the land of the holy seven rivers of India that have a distinct past and how people here lived in the tribes, instead of kingdoms. 

Role of Sabha and Samiti 

Knowing that the individuals were divided into different tribes. The tribes were being led by Rajan, who was considered the chief of a tribe. However, the sovereignty of the chief was restricted by the tribal councils, known as sabha and samiti. It was in the hands of the sabha and samiti to provide good and promising governance to the people of the tribes. Rajan being restricted, couldn’t accede to the throne without having it initially approved by the tribal councils. 

Role of Rajan 

Having the responsibility of protecting the tribal people of their tribes, Rajan along with purohita, senani, splash and dutas helped in maintaining prosperity and peace within the tribe. Initially, the chief didn’t have unlimited rights, however, in the later Vedic period the tribes formed kingdoms in place of living as individual tribes. It was the duty of the Rajan to maintain social order and protect his kingdom from foes. 

Influence of Kings 

As the society moved towards the side of development, the kingdoms got headed by the Kings. Sabha and samiti still existed but the dominance of the kings increased in the latter part of the Vedic Period. It was here that the act of hereditary kingship started and people would see the kings as the Samrat or the supreme ruler of the kingdom. The worthiest king was selected through competitions like games of dice, chariot races and cattle raids. 

New wave of State formation 

The final stage of the Vedic period, the period of Upanishads, marked the onset of the new wave of state formation. Thus, the process of urbanisation got started in the final stage of the Vedic Period. This was characterised by the growth of population, social changes, trade networks and economic changes.

Social Organisation of the Vedic Period 

In terms of social organisation, the Indo-Aryans have majorly focused on the system of social differentiation. 

Varna System 

It was the Indo-Aryans of the Vedic Period that introduced the system of Varnas into the social structure. The Vedic society came to be divided into four social groups, namely Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudra. Among the four social groups, the lead position was dominated by the Warriors and the Brahmanas. Initially, the class of Brahmanas was one of the sixteen priestly classes of the society. However, with time, the rest were removed from society and the society got overshadowed by the domination of warriors and Brahmanas. 

Supremacy of Brahmanas 

It should be noted that it was only Vedic society in India that was characterised by the supremacy of the Brahmanas among the four social groups. This peculiar development didn’t occur in the other Aryan societies located outside India. Brahmanas would conduct various rituals and sacrifices for themselves and for their clients. The words of King and the brahmanas would go hand in hand, where the brahmanas would pray for the kings to win the war and the king in return would not do anything to harm or hurt the sentiments of the Brahmanas. 

Difference of Warrior nobles with the Brahmanas 

There would be many times when the Kshatriyas and the Brahmanas would come in conflict with each other. Kshatriyas were part of the four social groups, who belonged to the sect of the warrior nobles of the society. The conflict would solely be based on gaining the supreme position among the four social groups. Nonetheless, there would be times when both these may collude to deal with supremacy with the people belonging to the lower category. Thus, the domination of warriors and brahmanas over the lower orders would adhere to social differentiation. 

Conclusion 

It is because of the Vedic texts that we have got detailed information about the Vedic Civilisation and later part of it. The list of texts includes the Yajur Veda Samhita, Sam Veda Samhita, Upanishads and Atharva Veda Samhita. Interestingly, the period of Vedas is termed as the heroic age of Indian civilization due to the fact that all the basic foundations in Indian society were made through the Vedic period. In the final stages of the Vedic Period, the political units of Mahajanapadas had started growing into the realms of Indian society which gave a boost to the trade and economy.