☼ Polity during the Rig Vedic Period:
• The Kula i.e. the family was the basis of both social and political organisations. Unit of Kula (the family) is headed by Kulapa.
• The Grama was above the Kula. A group of Kula (families) formed a Grama (the village). Unit of Grama (the village) is headed by Gramani.
• The Vis was above the grama. A group of grama formed a Vis. Unit of Vis (the clan) is headed by Vispati.
• The Jana was above the Vis . A group of VIs formed a Jana. Unit of Jana (the people) is headed by Gopa or Gopati.
• The Rashtra was above the Jana . A group of Jana formed a Rashtra. Unit of Rashtra (the country) is headed by Rajan.
• Regarding the form of government it was of patriarchal nature. Monarchy was normal, but non-monarchical polities were also there.
• The King or the Rajan was ruler of Rashtra and the royal descent was by hereditary based on the law of primogeniture. Probably elective monarchy was also known.
• The Purohita or domestic priest was the first ranking official of the Rashtra. He was the king's preceptor friend, philosopher and guide. Other important royal officials were Senani (army chief) and Gramani (head of village). Very little is known about ministers of the king.
• The army consisted of foot-soldiers and charioteers. Wood, stone, bone and metals were used in weapons. Arrows were tipped with points of metal or poisoned horn. References are made to the moving fort (Purcharishnu) and a machine for assaulting strongholds.
• The king had religious duties also. He was the upholder of the established order and moral rules.
• Rig Veda speaks of assemblies such as the Sabha, Samiti, Vidath, Gana. Sabha was committee of few privileged and important individuals. Two popular assemblies, Sabha and Samiti, acted as checks on the arbitrary rule of kings. Later Vedas record that the Sabha functioned as a court of justice.
• Theft, burglary, stealing of cattle and cheating were some of the then prevalent crimes .
***
- 6605 views
