ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL HISTORY CLASS 02

 A brief review of the previous class

VEDIC AGE (1500 BC-600 BC) [9:10 AM]
 Aryans were Nomadic pastoralists from Central Asia. Cattle were their
main wealth and they were moving to different parts of the world in
search of better pastures.
 The term "Aryan" stands for a linguistic community that spoke the
Aryan languages.
 Indo-Aryans is the term used for the Aryans who reached India.
 Their history can be constructed from Vedic texts which were originally
transferred from one generation to the another orally and later on in
written form.
 They settled around rivers and wrote hymns in their prays. The
language used was Sanskrit.
 They defeated the indigenous people by the usage of their superior
bronze tools, use of better weapons, horses and chariots.
 Ancient Sanskrit name of the Rivers:
 Indus-Sindhu
 Jhelum-Vitasta
 Chenab-Askini
 Ravi-Parushni
 Beas-Vipasha
 Sutlej-Shutudri
 Saraswati-Nanditarna
SOCIETY
 The Early Vedic political system was tribal in nature with smaller
groups moving around without a definite territorial identity at this stage
the tribes were at war for acquiring more cattle and not land.
 There was no standing army and all the members used to participate in
the wars During the later Vedic ages life became more settled and a
more organized administration came about.
 King/Rajan
 Earlier he was elected as the head of the group but over time
his position became hereditary
 Jana/Group of People
 Group of people and it is the highest political unit
 Village/Grama
 Village with its headman of village/Gramini, Assemblies of
People/samiti, a small group of selected people in Samiti called
as Sabha.
  The most important unit in personal or social life is the family
called Kul headed by the Patriarch Kulpati
 Group of village/Clan called Vis with their head being the Vispati
 Kul-->Gram-->Vis--->Jana
VARNA SYSTEM [10:00 AM]
 A system of Social stratification evolved It was known as the Varna
System
 Brahmins: Teaching and performing rituals
 Kshatriyas: the warrior community-fighting battles
 Vaishyas: the producing class; farmers, weavers, traders,
 Shudras: they served the other 3 classes
 Originally Kshatriyas were supposed to be at the highest position but
with the increasing significance of rituals Brahmins received the most
dominant positions
 Earlier there was flexibility in these Varnas and it was merely based on
occupation.
 In the later Vedic age the system became hereditary.
 Ashram System
 The life of a person was divided into 4 phases or Ashram;
 Brahmacharya: study and gain knowledge
 Grihastha: Become householder; get married and lead the life of a
householder
 Vanaprastha: leave family and live in the forest
 Sanyasa: the life of renunciation breaking all bonds of Social life
RELIGION
 Nature worship was predominant in religious life. The natural forces
were given the names of God.
 Indra-God of rain
 Agni-Fire
 Varun-Water
 Rituals and ceremonies were performed through Yajanas and offering
sacrifices. The concept of divine monarchy was strengthened by these
religious ceremonies.
 Rajsuya Yajna: it is perfomed at the time of the coronation of the King
 Vajapaya: peromed to increase the strength of the King
 Aswamedh: performed for territorial expansion
 Position of women
 In the early Vedic period women enjoyed respect and were welcomed in
society through the family was patriarchal. They were given education
and could participate in the Sabha and Samiti.
 During the later period, the birth of women was considered to be cursed
and their position declined in this society. However, even at the stage
evil practices like dowry, Sati, and Child Marriage were not known.
ECONOMY [10:32 AM]
 A system of taxation developed. It was mainly voluntary in the form
of Bali/Bhag. Later on, it became a regular tax.
 Pastoral economy with the domestication of animals was the main
activity. During the later stages with the increase in the population,
Agriculture emerged with crops like wheat, barley, and rice.
ROLE OF IRON [1000 BC]
 This is a very significant milestone in human history.
 It helped to make iron Axes which were used in clearing forests and
making places for settlement.
 Iron plows could be used for the expansion of Agriculture. A new class
of weaponry emerged which helped in war and political expansion.
 Iron axles were used in chariots and carts improving the means of
transport and communication.
Early Vedic Age [1500-1000 Later Vedic Age [1000 BC-
BC] 600 BC]
The position of the king
Democratic- elected, the role
became hereditary with
of Sabha and Samiti in
reduced role of Sabha and
decision making
Samiti
Women Participation in
Sabha and Samiti The decline in the position of
women, no participation in
E.g. Lopamudra, a female Sabha and Smiti
poet
Varna system- based on
Fixed by birth
occupation
Cattle as wealth- no territorial Land and territorial concept;
concept ideas of expansion
Pastoral economy Agriculture and Settlements
Voluntary Taxation with no
Fixed system of Taxation
standing army
Prominent role of Brahmins
POST VEDIC AGE [11:18 AM]
th
 Post Vedic Age starts with the 6 BCE. This was the age of remarkable
progress in different spheres of human life.
 With the emergence of Urban centers again after IVC, this is considered
to be the 2nd phase of Urbanization in the Indian subcontinent.
  With the coming of Iron, agriculture surplus was generated. The use of
Iron also increased in arts and crafts and different kinds of occupations
developed, tile, pottery, leather making.
 This also led to the growth of trade and commerce which linked to the
Urban centers.
 This is the first time that coins were used, monetization of the economy
was a step ahead of the existing Barter system.
POLITICAL SYSTEM
 Janpadas was established with 3 kinds of political systems:
 Monarchy: the authority of the King i.e. Rule of one person e.g.
Magadh
 Gana/Sangha: which is the Oligarchy with the rule of a group of people
e.g.Vajji
 Republic: decision making with all the members of the ‘Jan’ e.g.
Shakya, Licchavi
 Over a period of time Monarchy became the most prominent form of
rule.
 The Guild System
 The Guild or Shrines were organizations involved in different economic
activities. They managed the markets transferred vocational knowledge.
They made their own set of rules and enjoyed judicial powers over the
members.
RISE OF MAGADH MAHAJANPADA
 the Janpads became larger with territorial expansion and Mahajanpads
came into being by the 6th BCE. Out of these, Mahajanpada Magadha
became the most powerful because of many favorable features.
 1. it lies in the extensive fertile plains of river Ganga. This means it also
has control of ample water resources.
 2. Availability of Iron from the Chota Nagpur Plateau made it possible for
the large-scale use of iron tools and weapons.
 elephants from the forests were included in the army, the capital of
Magadh, Rajgrih had a strategic location being protected by five hills
 surrounding it.
 Important ports like Tamralipti helped in having control of Trade.
 Monarchy in Magadh was also a favorable attribute. The rulers were
ambitious, pragmatic, and flexible in their socio-cultural outlook.
The topic of the next class: Mahajanpada to be continued