What are the main features of Vedic Society and Religion? Do you think some of the features are still prevailing in Indian society?(10M, 150 words)

by Edukemy Team October 31, 2023

UPSC Mains General Studies Paper – 1 Mains 2023

UPSC Mains Civil Services IAS Exam Question Paper – 2023

Table of Contents

Introduction

Vedic Society belongs to the period from 1500 bc – 600 bc, divided between early and later Vedic ages ,which has become the foundation for many present day features visible in our Indian society .

Body

FEATURES OF VEDIC SOCIETY

FEATURES	RIGVEDIC TIME PERIOD – 1500 – 1000 BCE	LATER VEDIC TIME PERIOD – 1000- 500 BCE
Political structure	Sabha and samiti. no taxation system – accepted only voluntary offerings. wars were fought for protection of cows	wars were fought for territory – Rashtra . Tribal assemblies because subordinate to the king , administrative machinery assisted him. Taxation system developed
Role of king	Subordinate to assembly	Divine rights of kingship, the king’s post became hereditary .
Marriage	Widow Remarriage prevailed.	Endogamy was Practised . The gotra system Arised .No widow remarried .
family	Head – male , patriarchy	patriarchy
Social structure	egalitarian , absence of strict social hierarchy	society got divided into 4 varnas , absence of social mobility .
Status of women	Women education allowed – e.g.- Gargi. Participated in Sabha and samiti .	Very few got education. E.g. – Lop mudra .No participation in Sabha and samiti.
Religious practices	Nature forces Worshipped -Indra , Surya , Vayu –	Concept of Trimurti – worship of brahma , Vishnu , Mahesh. Yajna performed.

VEDIC FEATURES STILL PREVAILING IN SOCIETY:

ADMINISTRATION – The administrative machinery headed by key officials like later Vedic age assists the government .
NATURE OF SOCIETY – Indian society is still divided into varna systems , like later Vedic times but has got modified that social mobility by right to livelihood , inter caste marriages can be seen .patriarchal society
STATUS OF WOMEN – the status of women is an amalgamation of both early and later Vedic – women are given education , still some are restricted .
MARRIAGE – held on the basis of gotra . Inter-caste marriage has low acceptance .
SACRED GROVES – the idea is the same as the Vedic form of nature worship , here forests are preserved by locals for worship – example -Khasi and Jaintia hills – Meghalaya , Aravalli hills – Rajasthan.
ECONOMY – Agriculture based economy of India with crop diversity , Pastoralism ,use of iron at large scale, taxation system.
PANCHAYAT SYSTEM – concept of Sabha , samiti can be seen in Panchayati raj system
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE POST OF BRAHMAN – ,brahman priest is considered most imp – to chant the mantras and to perform yajna.
IDOL WORSHIP – Trimurti – brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh.

Conclusion

Hence, Vedic society has proved to be a foundation for present day Indian society in many ways , but we can say that today’s society reflects more flexible and modified features of the then Vedic society.

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