Early Vedic Age-Political Organization

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In early vedic age, monarchy was the prevalent form of government. The institution of monarchy was justified on grounds of divine sanction.

As a rule, kingship was hereditary. But there are instances when the king owed his position to the choice of the people. The king led the army in battles, administered justice and maintained the priestly classes.

The main source of income was war booties. Also, the voluntary gifts by the people were source of income.

The Senani, the Gramini and the Purohit were important members of the royal entourage.

While the Senani looked after the army, Gramini served as the village headman and Purohit was concerned with religious administrative matters.

Most of the Vedic kingdoms were small in size.

There were two political units known as the Samiti and the Sabha. Though theexact delineation of their functions cannot be understood, the main business of the Samiti was related to policy and the functions of the Sabha was the administration of justice.

The word samrat, was an expression meaning the ruler of the whole world occurs in the Rigveda.

The king occupied a position of great dignity. He was anointed king by a formal ceremony, wore gorgeous robes, and lived in a house much bigger and more gaily decorated than a common building.

He led the tribe in war and considered the protection of life and property of his subjects as his most sacred duty. In return they voluntarily gave him bali (tribute).

The king administered justice with the assistance of Purohita ) and other advisers. Theft, burglary, robbery, and cattle-lifting were the main crimes.

The lowest unit of administration was the family. It was called “KUL” and organized on patriarchal lines.

The eldest male member, the “Kulapa” enforced discipline and order in the while family. A group of families of ‘Kuls’ constituted a village, which in the Rigvedic days was called “GRAMA” and the village head was known as ‘Gramini’.

Gramini ledthe villagers in time of war and attended the meetings of the Sabha and the Samiti. A group of villages constituted a “VIS” or clan. The head of the clan was called the “Vispati”. He was also a military leader and used to lead his clan in times of war under the guidance and instructions of the kingof the tribe.

The tribe was known as the ‘Jana’.

The Aryans, on the whole, led a merry and easygoing life but they were dutiful and moral. Truth, honesty, good thoughts, goods deeds, helping the poor, hospitality to guest, etc. were observed by them while theft, robbery, telling lies, sorcery, witchcraft, seductions were punishable offences.

The father provided early education to his children at home and afterwards they were sent to live with their teacher for further studies.

The instructions were provided orally by the teacher and students had to memories them. The Aryans had no art of writing at this stage. . The basic aim of education was the development of mind and character-building.

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