Q.1. Underline the changes in the field of society and economy from the Rig Vedic to the later Vedic period. [UPSC 2024 GS P-1]

The changes in society and economy from the Rig Vedic to the Later Vedic period are marked by significant transformations:

Society:

1. Shift from Nomadic to Settled Life: During the Rig Vedic period, society was semi-nomadic with cattle rearing as the primary occupation. By the Later Vedic period, society became more settled, with agriculture becoming increasingly important.
2. Emergence of Varna System: The social structure during the Rig Vedic period was fluid and based on occupation, but in the Later Vedic period, the varna system (fourfold division: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras) became rigid, with one’s occupation and status determined by birth rather than ability.
3. Growth of Patriarchy: The Rig Vedic society allowed relatively more freedom to women, such as participation in religious rituals. However, by the Later Vedic period, patriarchy became more entrenched, limiting women’s role in religious and social life.
4. Concept of Gotra: The concept of gotra (clan), which did not exist in the Rig Vedic period, became a crucial aspect of social life during the Later Vedic period, particularly in marital arrangements to prevent marriages within the same gotra.
5. Rise of Monarchies: While the Rig Vedic polity was based on tribal republics (janapadas), by the Later Vedic period, hereditary monarchies became more prominent, reducing the power of tribal assemblies like the Sabha and Samiti.

Economy:

1. Agricultural Expansion: The Rig Vedic economy was primarily pastoral, with cattle as a significant measure of wealth. By the Later Vedic period, agriculture became the dominant economic activity, leading to surplus production and the rise of land ownership concepts.
2. Introduction of Iron: The Later Vedic period saw the introduction of iron, particularly in agricultural tools, which led to the expansion of cultivation and the clearing of forests, allowing for more settled agriculture.
3. Growth of Trade and Commerce: In the Rig Vedic period, barter was the primary mode of exchange. However, by the Later Vedic period, trade expanded, and the use of nishka (coins) as a medium of exchange started emerging, signaling the beginning of a money economy.
4. Specialization of Occupations: The Later Vedic period saw the emergence of specialized crafts and occupations like smiths, potters, and weavers, marking a more complex economic structure compared to the predominantly pastoral economy of the Rig Vedic period.

These changes reflect the transition from a more egalitarian, pastoral society to a hierarchical, agrarian-based civilization.