The economy of the Rigvedic Aryans was based on agriculture, animal husbandry, technical industries and to some extent trade.
Animal husbandry
When the Aryans came to India, they were a semi-nomadic tribe. At that time, their economy was completely dependent on animal husbandry.
- Animal husbandry was the mainstay of the economy during the Rigvedic period.
- Although the village-based Vedic society knew agriculture, the Rigveda emphasized animal husbandry more than agriculture.
- Cattle were important in the Rigvedic economy (the word cow is mentioned about 176 times in the Rigveda).
- The word ‘gavishti‘ mentioned in the Rigveda means the search for cow dung.
- At that time, in addition to cattle, horse breeding, goat, sheep, pig breeding, etc. were seen.
- Sheep also had considerable importance in the Rigvedic economy as they provided wool.
- Horses were needed for the needs of war and for transporting goods.
- However, only cattle dominated as a medium of exchange.
Info: Cattle were prominent to the Aryan economy and society. Numbers of cattle measure of wealth and status of a person.
Agriculture
After settling in this country, the Aryans gradually focused on agriculture, and agriculture became their main livelihood.
- Initially, agriculture was the second most important livelihood of the Vedic Aryans.
- The main agricultural product was barley (yava).
- Many believe that the words ‘godhum‘ and ‘brihi‘ mentioned in the Rigveda refer to ‘wheat’ and ‘paddy’ respectively.
- It is believed that ploughs (langala or sira) were used as agricultural implements.
- Farmers who used ploughs were called ‘kinash‘.
- The Rigveda mentions tillage, sowing seeds, fertilizing the land, irrigation, harvesting, threshing and gathering the crops.
- Probably the Aryans learned the technique of rice cultivation from local non-Aryans.
Info: Not only as the mainstay of agriculture and a source of food but also as a unit of value and a medium of exchange, the value of the cow was immense.
Trade and commerce
- In the Rigvedic era, internal trade was carried out by land and water.
- Not the Aryans, but non-Aryans participated in trade. Non-Aryans were associated with trade since the pre-Vedic era.
- The people were mainly animal herders, so it can be said that trade and commerce did not develop much in this period.
- The scope of trade at that time was not extensive, it did not affect the Rigvedic economy much.
- Those who traveled far and wide for trade and possessed a large amount of wealth were called ‘Pani‘.
- The Rigveda mentions the words ‘Samudra‘ and ‘shataritra nau‘, a hundred-masted boat, which indicate that sea trade existed during the Vedic Aryans’ time.
Info: According to Professor Byssam, the concept of a regular merchant or moneylender community did not arise in the Rig Vedic period.
Technical Industries
- A few evidences of technical industries were found in Vedic civilization. Among them notable are woodworking, leatherworking, goldsmithing and Wool weaving.
- Artisan-built houses, some wooden furniture and wooden chariots, leather bags (visti), horse bridles and whips were notable examples of craft and technology.
- Men and women of the Rigveda wore various earrings called ‘Karnashobhana‘, and ‘Hiranyakarna‘.
- Women of the Rigveda wore ‘Nyochani‘, ‘Kurir‘, ‘Nishka‘ (earrings).
- In addition, copper craftsmen made agricultural implements such as ploughshares, sickles and other tools made of copper.
- Textile craftsmen knew how to make warm clothes from sheep’s wool as well as cotton cloth.
Info: The Aryans were familiar with copper and bronze. However no clear evidence of iron found in the early Rigvedic period.
Barter system
- Two types of gold coins, namely Nishka and Mana, were in circulation.
- These were so few in number that they were not at all conducive to commercial transactions.
- However, there is debate as to whether these were truly coins.
- Trade was carried on through barter.
Info: Trade was conducted through barter. Cattle and agricultural produce were common mediums of exchange.