Vedic society

Early Vedic society was organised in janas, or clans: larger groups of people. The Ṛig Veda alone lists over 30 janas, for example the Bharatas, the Purus, the Kurus, the Yadus and the Turvaśhas. You have already met the Bharatas: 'Bhāratavarṣha' means the country of the Bharatas. A clan's name became the country's name.

Each clan was linked with a particular region of the northwest of the Subcontinent.

Not much is known about how the janas were governed. The Vedas give only a few clues, through words like rājā (a king or ruler), and sabhā and samiti, both meaning a gathering or assembly. Together these words suggest there was a ruler but also meetings of people, so a rājā probably did not decide everything alone. That is as far as the evidence goes.

The Vedic texts mention many professions, such as farmer, weaver, potter, builder, carpenter, healer, dancer, barber and priest. (A healer is someone who uses traditional practices to relieve or cure illness.) A society where people do so many different jobs all year is one where somebody grows enough food for everyone.

The book asks you to think ahead: Do you know the word for a society where people choose their leaders? How can people benefit from that? What could happen if they lived under leaders they did not choose?