Know about the Economic and Social life of Aryans

The family was regarded as the social and political unit. It was the nucleus of the social life of the early Aryans. The father was the head of the family and he was known as “Grihapati”. The Aryans had joint families.

The Aryans ate both vegetable and animal foods. Rice, barley, bean, and sesamum formed the staple food. They also ate bread, cake, milk, ghee, butter, and curd together with fruits. Fish, birds, goats, rams, bulls, and horses were slaughtered for their food. The Slaughter of a cow was prohibited. They also drank intoxicating liquor, known as Sura, a brandy made from corn and barley and the juice of soma plant.

 Economic Life in Vedic Age

• The main occupation of the people was cattle rearing and their wealth was measured in the number of cattle.
• They practiced agriculture by clearing the forests.
• Metals used were copper, iron, and bronze.
• Few people worked as goldsmiths, potters, spinners, and carpenters.
• The tax levied in the Vedic Period was Bali and Bhaga.
• Gold coins called Nishka were used for transactions.
• Rivers were used for transportation.
• They used the Barter system.

Social Life in Vedic Age

• Society was tribal but egalitarian.
• Aryans were fair in colour and the one the inhabitants were dark in complexion. This gave social distinction. The Dasas and Dasyus were treated as slaves and Shudras.
• The head of tribes was treated as superior. The society got divided into warriors, Priests, People on the same pattern as Iran and Shudras.
• Women slaves were involved in domestic purposes.
• Division according to the occupation is also known.
• Patriarchal Society: Rig Veda shows a society where a family was a basic unit headed by Grahapati. 
• Both men and women used clothes made of cotton and a large number of ornaments.
• Food items: wheat, barley, milk, and milk products.
• Cows were considered sacred hence eating their meat was prohibited.
• Entertainment: Dance, music, chariot racing, horse racing were the time pass activities.
• Upper-class women shared equal rights as men.

Marriage Life

• Generally, monogamy was practiced but in royal families polygamy was common.
• There are no traces of Sati or Child marriage.
• Examples of widow remarriage are also seen in Rig Veda.

 Administrative Setup

• A Group of families or Kula forms a village or a Grama which is headed by Gramani.
• The Group of villages is called Vis. The head of the Vis is Vishyapati.
• Jana or tribes were the highest in the political organisation. A few examples of Jana are Bharatas, Yadus, Matsayas, and Purus.
• The head of the Jana were Rajan or the king who were assisted by priest or commanders of army.

VIII. Religion in Vedic Period

• Aryans of Early Vedic Period worshiped elements like:

1. Its importance was the Indra also called Purandara (God of Rain), destroyer of fort
2. 2nd place was given to Agni (fire),
3. 3rd important place was given to Varuna(water),
4. Other important elements were Prithvi (earth) and Vayu (wind)

• Female Goddess like Aditi and Ushas were Goddess of dawn.
• There were 33 Gods.
• They did not worship to end their misery instead they worshiped for Praja (child), Pasu (cattle), food, health and wealth.
• Offerings were milk, vegetables, ghee and grains.

Gods and their roles

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