In the later Vedic period, several important changes took place in various aspects of the social life of the Aryans. The transition from a pastoral to an agrarian society emerged.
Transition of Society
- The level of social restrictions increased in the later Vedic period.
- During this period, other new castes emerged due to social needs.
- The number of castes also increased on the basis of work.
- The caste system became profession-based and birth-based.
- In the later Vedic period, in addition to the four main castes of Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra, several sub-castes emerged.
- It is believed that sub-castes emerged due to changes in marriage rules and profession-based reasons.
Chaturashrama
- One of the features of the caste-based social life of the later Vedic period was the ‘Chaturashrama’.
- Chaturashrama refers to
- During childhood, students should study under strict austerities in the Guru’s house – Brahmacharya Ashram (Student Life). Age – up to 25 years (approx).
- After completing one’s education, one should follow the family religion – Grihasthashram (householder life). Age – 25 to 50 years (approx).
- At an older age, one should hand over the responsibility of the family to the next generation and live in the forest – Vanaprasthashram (Hermit-like life). Age – 50 to 70/75 years (approx).
- In old age, one should give up all attachment to the family and live like a monk – Sannyashram (Renounced Life). Age – After 70/75 years (approx).
Info: The Chaturashrama system emerged to show that the Aryans were distinct from the non-Aryans.
Strictness of Caste System
- While the status of Brahmins and Kshatriyas remained intact in society, Vaishyas and Shudras were considered as lower castes.
- Although the status of Vaishyas decreased, the condition of Shudras became the most miserable.
- Shudras were considered untouchables and impure.
- In the later Vedic period, conflicts began between Brahmins and Kshatriyas to gain the right to the first caste in society. However, Brahmanas held the highest status or position in society.
- At this time, because of the ever-changing ‘work’, new professional classes emerged in society.
- In the later Vedic literature, there is mention of two communities named Bratya and Nishad. Bratya were Aryans, and Nishads were non-Aryans. Both of them earned their living by herding animals and gathering food.
Info: During this period, the earlier profession-based or work-based caste system gradually became caste-based and hereditary.
Status of women in society
- In the later Vedic society, the status of women decreased.
- The most notable thing about the later Vedic period was that women were deprived of all their social status.
- Although there were women scholars like Gargi and Maitreya in this period, women of the upper caste lost their right to Vedic studies.
- Women’s freedom was also reduced in the case of marriage.
- In the later Vedic period, caring for the family and religious practices became the only profession of women.
Info: The practice of Upanayana (initiation) for women declined.
Info: The family was patriarchal and generally extended or joint.
Marriage Types
According to the ‘Manusmriti’ scripture, there are 8 marriage practices or systems mentioned in the later Vedic period. These are-
| Marriages | Descriptions |
| Bramha Vivah | A girl was married to a man of the same caste where the dowry system was prevalent. (bride was married to a priest) |
| Gandharva Vivah | Marriage with the voluntary consent of both the woman and the man (love marriage or in some cases, secret marriage). |
| Daiva Vivah | The girl was offered to the priest as a sacrificial offering. |
| Arsha Vivah | The father would give his daughter to a groom accepting a cow and a bull from the groom. |
| Prajapati Vivah | A girl Marries a man of her father’s own choice without a dowry. (bride’s father arranged the marriage) |
| Asura Vivah | Marriage of a girl to an evil person in exchange for money (in this case, the father would sell the girl for money). |
| Rakshasa Vivah | Marriage by forcibly kidnapping the woman. (forceful abduction of the bride) |
| Paishacha Vivah | Marrying a woman in a state of madness. (bride was exploited or deceived) |
Food
- During this time, the custom of eating tandul (rice) with barley became common due to paddy cultivation.
- The habit of eating meat decreased to some extent.
- The cooking of ‘parmanna‘ (payes) by mixing rice with milk is also mentioned in the Shatapatha Brahmana and the Vajsaneyi Samhita.
- In addition, the widespread use of ‘dadhi‘, ‘navanita‘ (butter) type foods and the collection of honey are also known.
- Due to the difficulty in collecting ‘som‘ leaves, ‘Putika‘ (mint), ‘Arjuni‘ (Arjuna tree leaves) became popular.
Entertainment
- Vocal music, instrumental music and dance songs were familiar during this period. From this time, professionals in all these fields gained social recognition.
- Playing the Bansa (a ten-stringed instrument), veena, and Rudra veena along with flutes and drums became popular.
- The mention of ‘Natsutra‘ in Panini’s vaykarana gives information about the dances and dramas of the later Vedic period.
- Chariot and dice competitions received religious sanction during this period.
Clothing
- Woolen clothing became popular during this period.
- The use of silk increased along with cotton cloth.
- The wealthy people of this era used sheep’s wool for clothing and the common people used goat’s hair.
- The use of ‘Nibi‘ along with ‘Vas‘ and ‘Adhivas‘ came into the tradition.
- It is known from the Shatapatha Brahmin that a type of slippers made of pig skin began to be worn during this period.
- Sankhyayana Aranya mentioned the dyed or colored clothes.