IGNOU HISTORY NOTES : India Earliest Times to the 8th Century A.D - Society and Economy

IGNOU HISTORY Study Notes for IAS, UPSC Exams

India Earliest Times to the 8th Century A.D

Society and Economy

Structure

16.0 Objectives
16.1 Introduction
16.2 Our Sources of Information
16.3 Society
16.3.1 Kshatriyas
16.3.2 Brahmanas
16.3.3 Vaishyas and the Gahapati
16.3.4 Shudras
16.3.5 Wandering Ascetics
16.3.6 Condition of Women
16.4 Economy
16.4.1 Factors in the Growth of Food Roducing Economy
16.4.2 Rural Economy
16.4.3 Urban Economy
16.4.4 Urban Occupations
16.4.5 Trade and Trade doutes
16.5 Let Us Sum Up
16.6 Key Words
16.7 Answers to Checkyour Progress Exercises

16.0 OBJECTIVES

In this unit you will get to know in general about the main social and economic changes
which crystallised by the period of second urbanization and specially about the : .

main segments of the society, social order and the disabilities imposed onthe sudras,
evidences and the causative factors for the growth of food producing economy,
main features of rural and urban economy, and
.main crafts and occupations along with the nature of trade and trade routes during the period.

16.1 INTRODUCTION

Before we discuss in any details the major aspects of society and economy in the period
between the 6th century B.C. and 4th century B.C., it is necessary, as an introduction. to
recapitulate some of the points already discussed. First, the later Vedic'society seems to
reflect a shift to a new geographical region i.e., upper and middle Ganga Valley. as well as
consolidation of agrarian economy. Second, the appearance of rulers and others who
enjoyed shares of wealth produced by society without producing any wealth themselves, and
institutionalized inequality in society. This institutionalization of inequality meant the
emergence of State and the state apparatus. It also meant further consolidation of the theory
of the division of society into four varnas, because the varna theory elak~d theways in
which different sections in society should perform their duties.

16.2 OUR SOURCES OF INFORMATION

We haVe a variety of texts which provide us with information about the society and
economy of the 6th to 4th century B.C. period. There are many brahmanical texts meant to
instruct people in the performance of day-to-day rites and rituals. They arc called Crihyasutras, Srautsutras and Dharma sutras. Among these manuals some texts like those of
kpastamba belong to this period. The grammar of Panini provides brief references to many
communities in those times.