5.6 Evolution of Monarchy and Varna System

Evolution of Monarchy and Varna System

2020-04-27 11:44:37


Evolution of Monarchy and Varna System

  • Various political system that existed b/w 1000-600 BC are :
    • Monarchial states
    • Oligarchic states
    • Tribal Principalities
  • Aitareya Brahmana gave the speculated the Origin of kings from myths.
  • Shatapatha Brahmana says that King gain indentity with gods through performance of Vajapeya and Rajasuya sacrifices.
    • was done to give monarchies legitimacy.
  • Purusha sukta refers to 4 social groups Brahmana, Rajanya, Vaishya and Shudra.
  • Initially ambiguity about positions of higher Varnas, where Kshatriyas were placed first
  • became fixed from time Dharmasutras onwards
  • 1st 3 varnas known as dvija entitled to Upanayana, Agnyadheya- sacrificial fire ceremony.
  • household - Griha was headed by the Grihapati who had control over the productive potential of the house.

Varna System in LVA

  • varna had follolwing features:
    • status by birth
    • hierarchical ordering of Varna's (Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaisya, Sudra)
    • Endogamy, ritual purity
  • Varna tied w/ Dharma as universal law that society to follow
  • division of social groups based on occupation alone, was flexible, where one's occupations did not depend on birth
  • concept of varna rudimentary, untouchability absent


Reference for Revision :

Migration of the Aryans_Upinder_Singh Chapter.

PYQs

  1. "The Varna concept may always have been largely a theoretical model and never an actual description of society." Comment in the context of Ancient India. [2013, 15m]

The Varna concept is a theoretical model of social stratification that has been used to describe the social hierarchy of Ancient India. The Varna system is a four-tier system of social organization based on the division of labor, with each tier representing a different class of people. The four Varnas are Brahmin (priests and scholars), Kshatriya (warriors and rulers), Vaishya (merchants and traders), and Shudra (laborers and servants). This system of social stratification is believed to have been in place since the Vedic period of Indian history.

The Varna concept has been used to explain the social structure of Ancient India, and it is often seen as a reflection of the spiritual and moral values of the time. According to this system, each Varna had a specific role to play in society, and each was expected to fulfill their duties in order to maintain harmony and balance. The Varna system was also seen as a way of ensuring that the needs of the society were met, with each Varna having a specific role to play in the functioning of the society.

However, while the Varna concept may have been used to explain the social structure of Ancient India, it is important to note that it was never an actual description of society. This is because the Varna system was a theoretical model, and it was never actually implemented in practice. The Varna system was never a legally binding system, and it was never enforced by any governing body.

In addition, the Varna system was never a static system, and it was constantly evolving over time. This is because the Varna system was based on the division of labor, and as the needs of society changed, so too did the roles of each Varna. For example, during the medieval period, the Kshatriya Varna began to take on more administrative roles, while the Brahmin Varna began to focus more on spiritual matters. Certain texts also put the Kshatriya varna above the Brahamanas in social hierarcy during this period.