DMPQ- Enumerate the features of the Vedic age.

The Vedic Age started with the Aryan occupation of the Indo-Gangetic Plains. Meaning of the word Arya: Noble. They spoke Sanskrit, an Indo-European language. They led a rural, semi-nomadic life as compared to the Indus Valley people who were urbanised. It is believed that they entered India through the Khyber Pass.

Political structure:

Monarchical form of government with a king known as Rajan.
Patriarchal families. Jana was the largest social unit in Rig Vedic times.
Social grouping: kula (family) – grama – visu – jana.
Tribal assemblies were called Sabhas and Samitis. Examples of tribal kingdoms: Bharatas, Matsyas, Yadus and Purus.

Social structure:

Women enjoyed a respectable position. They were allowed to take part in Sabhas and Samitis. There were women poets too (Apala, Lopamudra, Viswavara and Ghosa).
Cattle especially cows became very important.
Monogamy was practised but polygamy was observed among royalty and noble families.
There was no child marriage.
Social distinctions existed but were not rigid and hereditary.

Economic structure:

They were a pastoral and cattle-rearing people.
They practised agriculture.
Products made out of copper, iron and bronze were in use.
They had horse chariots.
Rivers were used for transport.
Cotton and woollen fabrics were spun and used.
Initially trade was conducted through the barter system but later on coins called ‘nishka’ were in use.

Religion:

They worshipped natural forces like earth, fire, wind, rain, thunder, etc. by personifying them into deities.
Indra (thunder) was the most important deity. Other deities were Prithvi (earth), Agni (fire), Varuna (rain) and Vayu (wind).
Female deities were Ushas and Aditi.
There were no temples and no idol worship.

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