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Social life during the ancient and medieval periods.

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Harappan civilisation was known for its wellplanned towns covered drainage system, its granary which was used for storing and trading surplus grain. The Great Bath is one indicator of the collective life of the people. Thus, there were peasants, artisans, traders, fishermen, priests, administrators, artists, weavers, etc.

Sangham literature makes reference to tribes and traditional castes. This indicates their coexistence. Though the Brahmins constituted a numerical minority, they played an important role in the development of Tamilian culture. Sangham priests though not dominating were in the process of assuming advisory and supervisory powers. The Bards (nomadic ballad singers) were a special class. Vedars (hunter and highway robbers) were much feared. The Marrakudi was a separate warrior section that had its own traditions and beliefs. Then, there were the fishermen, salt manufacturers, weavers, agriculturalists, shepherds, and cowherds who were also important.

The Varna System during the Vedic period referred to the social order or class of people. There was flexibility and fluidity with respect to occupation. It was only towards the end of the Vedic period that Varna turned into a rigid jati (caste) hierarchy based on the ideology of purity and pollution.

  • Brahmin – priests, teachers, intellectuals
  • Kshatriya – rulers, and warriors 
  • Vaishya – merchants, traders, farmers 
  • Shudra – menial work

The first three varnas began to call themselves the upper varnas. They became the ‘twiceborn (dvija) because they were entitled to the initiation ceremony (upanayana).

Ashramvyavastha was prescribed for the socalled twice-born castes. This referred to the four stages in the life of a Hindu.

  • Brahmacharyashram – Student hood, single status, and celibacy 
  • Grihasthashram – Householder 
  • Vanaprasthashram – hermithood and retirement. 
  • Sanyasashram – renunciation

The Classical Period (i.e. the period of the Gupta Dynasty) believed to be the ‘Golden Age, is when Indian society grew and thrived, setting the foundations in arts, science, politics, religion, philosophy, and economics that define Indian culture to this day. It became a global trade center arid an epicenter of artistic and intellectual achievement. Eventually, the smaller kingdoms broke away. This allowed the Huns of Central Asia to invade and defeat the Gupta dynasty around 550 CE and finally, the classical period declined by 650 CE.

Many texts (Nitishastras and Dharmashastras) were written during a period of ‘second urbanisation’, which elaborated on sociopolitical laws.

The Medieval Period of India witnessed the Muslim invasion of India’s material resources. During the Delhi Sultanate, society experienced a synthesis of Indian and Islamic culture Amir Khusro, used a form of Hindustani, which he called Hindavi. At the same time, the Delhi Sultanate was also responsible for the large-scale destruction and desecration of temples.

During this period also, a rigid caste system was followed. Efforts of Emperor Akbar gave India a strong and stable political administration.

The Medieval Period is often stated to be the darkest period in the history of India however, there emerged several changes that transformed Indian society also. Performing arts, architecture and sculpture flourished alongside internal and foreign trade and commerce. The establishment of Din-I-Ilahi by Akbar was a new religion based on ethical rationalism. Towards the 19th century CE there emerged a widening gap between liberals and orthodox groups from various faiths.

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