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)

UPSC Mains General Studies Paper – 1 Mains 2023

UPSC Mains Civil Services IAS Exam Question Paper – 2023

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:  

1. ADMINISTRATION – The administrative machinery headed by key officials like later Vedic age assists the government . 
2. 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  
3. STATUS OF WOMEN – the status of women is an amalgamation of both early and later Vedic – women are given education , still some are restricted . 
4. MARRIAGE – held on the basis of gotra . Inter-caste marriage has low acceptance . 
5. 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. 
6. ECONOMY – Agriculture based economy of India with crop diversity , Pastoralism ,use of iron at large scale, taxation system.           
7. PANCHAYAT SYSTEM – concept of Sabha , samiti can be seen in Panchayati raj system  
8. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE POST OF BRAHMAN – ,brahman priest is considered most imp – to chant the mantras and to perform yajna.   
9. 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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