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About 2000 years ago, a famous physician named ‘Charaka’, wrote a book on medicine known as
the ‘Charaka Samhita’. He stated that human body has only 360 bones, but only 200 bones are
recognised in modern anatomy.

lIfe of tHe people

Initially the Aryans lived in the villages. Their primary loyalty was towards their respective

clans. The village was called ‘Grama’. The family was the smallest unit and society was
called Kula. The eldest member of a family was called grahapati. Women were respected
and no religious ceremony was complete without the participation of the women of the
family. Many hymns of Rigveda have been composed by women indicating that some of
them received good education. Women could attend political assemblies. Therefore, it is
well evident that women enjoyed high status. There are no evidences of child marriage in
Rigveda and the practice of widow marriage has been mentioned.

Political Life : The Political unit of the Aryans were divided into tribe or Janas. Each tribe
was headed by a king called Rajan. His prestige depended on the extent of the area he
controlled. The Rajan was selected by the members of his tribe. The king was the protector

of his tribe. He protected its cattle, fought wars and offered prayers of Gods on behalf of
the tribes. Senapati was incharge of military responsibility and the purohita was given the
responsibility of managing religious duties. The political system was democratic and the
members of the Jana took part in decision making through two popular assemblies—Samiti
and Sabha. Any person could give his suggestions in Samiti, but only the elders of the
families could become the members of the Sabha. The king did not maintain any regular or
standing army but in times of war, he organised a people’s army or military. But as kingdoms
became more powerful economically, gradually regular standing armies were set up.

Economic Life : There are some strong archaeological evidences found during excavations,
which prove that seeds were either cultivated of pulses, peas, millets and sesame. There is

evidence that fruits such as amla, jamun, dates, ber and a variety of berries were collected.
They ate vegetables, fruits, meat and drunk milk. The ox, horse, cattle, buffalo, goat, sheep,
dog and fish were many animals which domesticated in those times. There were many groups
of artisans like weavers, potters, tanners, carpenters, goldsmiths and ironsmiths.

Social Life : In the Vedic period, differences based on occupations started. Priests, scholars
and teachers were called the Brahamanas, the warriors were called Kshatriyas, the
common people involved in production such as craft, trade and agriculture, were called
the Vaishyas. At the lowest rung of the social ladder were the Shudras, whose duty was to
serve the upper castes and did menial jobs.

• The Aryans first settled in the area known as ‘Saptasindhu’, the land near seven rivers—the Indus
and its tributaries.
• The princesses were allowed to choose their husbands by Swayamvara.

46 Social Studies-6