![]() Literary Sources for Ancient Indian Society The evolution of the ancient Indian societies is well reflected in different literatures such as in Sanskrit literature and Indo Aryan literature. Further, besides works in Sanskrit, there are several Buddhist Pali works, particularly the Jatakas, and the Jaina works in Prakrit language and Apabhramsa that offer references of the ancient Indian societies. Moreover, the Rig-Veda is regarded as the earliest written record of the Indo-Europeans. Ancient Indian societies also get reflected in other Vedic Samhitas are the Yajur Veda, Sama Veda and Atharva Veda. Various prose, poetical and dramatic works reveal a society in which what actually happened and not what was ideal according to Smriti and other Shastras. Religion in Ancient Indian Society ![]() Buddhism was established in the 6th century BC as a protest against sacerdotal practices. It denied Vedic authority and dispensed with idle speculations on the existence of God. It laid greater stress on self-discipline and meditation, and advocated monk-hood and mendicancy. Instead of blind adherence to conventional ideas and practices, it preached a rational approach, and did away with the external formalities of religious life. Jainism arose about the same time. It carried the creed of non-violence much further, and considered the life of even an insect to be sacred. It preached the creed of rigorous ascetic practices to a limit that weaned away many people. It had much in common with Buddhism. Like the former it deified Vedic authority. Side by side with the orthodox religion, there were also atheistic ideas in the society. The Lokayata or the materialistic school, which traces its origin to 'Carvaka', did not recognise Vedic authority. The Brahmanical rites and practices were declared to be nonsensical, and designed by crafty Brahmanas to achieve selfish ends. It did not recognise anything which is beyond perception. The Samkhya philosophy declared that the existence of God cannot be proved. Culture of Ancient Indian Society ![]() Economy of Ancient Indian Societies Agriculture played the most prominent role in economic life of the ancient Indian societies. Bull, sheep, buffalo, dogs, elephant, camel, etc. were the principal domestic animals. Chief craftsmen of the ancient era were potter, weaver, carpenter, mason, blacksmith, goldsmith, jeweller, ivory worker, stone-cutter, etc. Metal-work was also developed. There is also evidence of foreign trade. The main items of import were tin, copper and precious stones. Caste System in Ancient Indian Societies An analysis of the elements of the population reveals that the societies of ancient India comprised people of different castes. The main groups were Aryans or Indo-Aryans (upper class Hindus mostly speaking Sanskrit languages and Dravidians - they were mostly inhabiting South Peninsular India, differing from the Indo-Aryans and speaking Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam languages. There were primitive tribes like Kol caste, Bhil tribe and Munda tribe residing in hills and forests, speaking languages were absolutely different from those of the above two types. The term 'Mleccha' is often met with in different works. Generally it is taken to denote the people beyond the purview of the four castes of the ancient Indian societies. Several researches and surveys have been done on the ancient societies of India. |