THE VEDIC CULTURE: THE RIGVEDIC AGE

Original home of the Aryans Some 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 Aryans Historians agree that the original home of the Aryans was in central Asia in regions around the Caspian sea.

Original home of the Aryans They 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 Punjab Founded 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 ancient Yajurveda Samaveda Atharvaveda

Social life

Social life Family life Food Games & Amusements Dress The Varnas /Castes

Family life Lived in joint families They followed the patriarchal family Grihapati- 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 nourishing Wheat and barley cakes, milk & milk products like butter, ghee, curd, Cheese.

Games & Amusements Found leisure for enjoyment Fond 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 /Castes Divided into 4 Varnas Brahmanas priests were learned people who performed sacrifices Kshatriyas ruling class or warriors

The Varnas /Castes Vaishyas 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 rains Fields cultivated by a pair of oxen.

Domestication of animals Domestication 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 animals Other animals domesticated bulls, oxen, horses, sheep, goats, asses, & dogs.

Trade They 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 Iron Greatest 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 Iron Iron 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 King Ministers and the King The Sabha & Samiti Mode of warfare

Status of the King Rigvedic Aryans lived in tribes called ‘Janas’ Each Jana had its own ruler called ‘Rajan” Kingship was generally hereditary.

Status of the King Elected 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 King King was assisted by a number of ministers like Purohita religious adviser Senani leader of the army & helped king against his enemies.

Ministers and the King All 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 & Samiti The 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 & Samiti Anybody 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 warfare They were good warriors [developed a high standard of warefare. King & nobles fought on chariots Common people fought on foot

Mode of warfare Warriors 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 warfare Helmets, 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

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