Early India: The Chalcolithic, Megalithic, Iron Age and Vedic Cultures Trade, Exchange and Redistribution Trading activities were limited though traders were present during the Early Vedic period. Panis are referred to as traders and they were perhaps caravan traders. The word pan means barter, which was a mode of exchange. Nishka was a gold or silver ornament used in barter.
A priest received horses and nishka as fee for sacrifices. The danas and dakshinas offered to people were means of redistributing resources. The dakshina was both a fee for a specific service and also a means of distributing wealth. The distribution of cows helped spread pastoral activities and economic production.
Transport Bullock carts, horses and horse-drawn chariots were used for transport. There are references to the sea ( samudra ) and boats ( nau ). Boats driven by oars are mentioned. Polity and Administration The polity of the Rig Vedic period was that of a tribal society.
The chief of the tribe was the main political head and he was called rajan . The kings lived in multi-pillared palaces. They offered gifts of cattle, chariots and horse ornaments and gold to the priests. Rajan was a hereditary chief.
He was perhaps elected by the assembly called samiti . The main duty of the king was to protect the tribe. He protected wealth, fought wars, and offered prayers on behalf of gods. The king had authority over the territory and people.
Vedic society was militaristic. Bows, daggers, axes and lances were the main weapons of war. Tributes and booty collected from war were redistributed by the king. There are also references to gift of dasas or slaves.
The king Trasadasyu, the chief of the Purus, gave away women as a gift. The chief was known as gopa or gopati which means, chief of cattle. The assemblies called sabha , samiti , vidhata and gana are mentioned in the Rig Veda . Sabha was the assembly of elders or the elites, samiti as a blessing.
Women attended assemblies and offered sacrifices. Marriage was common but primitive practices