Ancient Indian History - Vedic Politics

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• Politics of Vedic India was well structured and organized.

Political Structure

• The political structure of Rig Vedic India can be studied in the following ascending order −

  • The Family (Kula), the smallest unit.

  • The Village (Grama)

  • The Clan (Vis)

  • The People (Jana)

  • The Country (Rashtra)

• Kula (family) included all the people living under the same roof (griha).

• A collection of several families constitutes the grama (village) and its headman was called gramini.

• The collection of several grama (village) was called as the Vis and its head was called Vispati.

• Several Vis constituted a Jana as it is mentioned as Panchajanah, Yadva-janaha, and Bharata-janaha.

• The aggregation of all Jana constitutes Rashtra (country).

Administration

• The hereditary kings were the popular form of Government.

• The provision of a democratically elected king by the assembly of people Jana was also known.

• The Rashtra was small states ruled by a raja (king).

• The bigger kingdoms were ruled by ‘samrat’ that reflects that they enjoyed a position of greater authority and dignity.

• The Raja administered justice with the assistance of Purohita and other officials.

• The Raja was offered bali, which was voluntary gift or tribute for his services. The bali was offered by his own people and also from defeated people.

• The crimes were strongly dealt with by the administration. Major crimes were theft, burglary, robbery, and cattle lifting.

• The important royal officials were −

  • Purohita (chief priest and minister)

  • Senani (army chief)

  • Gramini (head of a village)

  • Dutas (envoys)

  • Spies (spy)

• Sabha and Samiti were two important assemblies mentioned in the Rig Veda. These assemblies were forms the essential feature of the government.

• The Samiti was mainly dealt with the policy decisions and political business, included common people.

• The Sabha was a selected body of the Elders or Nobles and less political in character.