Vedic Literature - Comparison of Economic Life
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Comparison of Economic Life
Agriculture
Rig Vedic Period
- Mostly scattered in villages.
- The word ‘Nagar’ has not been mentioned.
- Rig Vedic primarily a pastoral society.
- No concept of private property; cultivated
- The ploughshare was called SITA.
- People used manure.
- Wheat was called Godhum.
- Oil seed and cotton cultivated.
- Rice not cultivated extensively. They knew that art of harvesting, threshing and sowing.
- No concept of land measurement due to the abundance of vast land.
- Cow was the main source of wealth.
Later Vedic Period
- Specialization in the agricultural field;
- Some rudimentary form of urbanization came.
- Two seasons of agriculture Rice in autumn and, Barley, and Wheat in winter;
- Rice began to be cultivated extensively;
- Concept of private property came into being;
- Concept of measurement came;
Materials and Trade
Rig Vedic Period
- No reference of export traders.
- Reference of group of people called PANI monopolised the economy; -they were probably nonaryans;
- Reference of metal ayas in this period, which came to the be known as Iron, but no doubt that iron not known to the people;
- only knew about Gold, copper and Bronze;
- Copper known as Apshya;
- There is seldom reference of Nishka; it is mainly in form of necklace, as a medium of exchange (a lump of gold) ;
- Professions and occupations were not hereditary. LATER VEDIC PERIOD
- Specialization in trade;
- There was reference of some court of corporations GANA- headed by an elderman called Shreshtins.
- Hiranya – Gold
- Shyam – Iron
- Loh - Copper
- Trapu - Tin
- Various types of professions and occupations
Term | Meaning |
---|---|
Rathkara | Chariot driver |
Ishukara | Arrow maker |
Rajusarge | Chord maker |
Bid alkari | Basket maker |
Rajitri | Painter |
Surakara | Vine maker |
Dhavar | Fisherman |
Kewat Gopala | Milkman |
Abhipala | Shepherd |
Ajpala | Goat maintainer |
Ashwa | Horse-maintainer |
Hatip | Elephant maintainer |
- Occupations and profession hereditary
- Later Vedic text refers to iron as shyama or Krishna Ayas probably indicating iron;
- Yajur Vedic also referred to black bronze - iron;
- medium of exchange almost the same - in the form of cow and gold;
- Unlike Rig Vedic transaction in the form of gold.
- Nishka, a lump-sum of gold having definite weight of 320 Rattis;
- There is a doubt that these gold materials used as coins; money lending was prevalent and moneylender was called as Kusidin.
Domestication of Animals
- Cow was the most important animal during both the times; Horse was the second important animal;
- Other important animals were ox, goats, sheep etc.
- Lion was known but there is negligible reference about cat, tiger and camel;
- Snake associated with evil;
- Elephant՚s reference was uncertain, but in the Later Vedic period the elephants became common.