IGNOU HISTORY NOTES : Modern India - SOCIETY AND ECONOMY

IGNOU HISTORY Study Notes for IAS, UPSC Exams

Modern India 1857-1964

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 elaborated 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 Grihyasutras, 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. However. our primary source of information about this period are the various Buddhist textsWritten in the Pali languate the early Buddist cannosn date