Page 19 - General Knowledge

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE 2019

 The Cow was the standard unit of exchange. Gold coins like Nishka, Krishna and
Satmana also were used.

Polity
 Some of the political terms used by Vedic people were:
 Samiti: National Assembly of the people.
 Sabha: Assembly of Elders.
 Purohita: Religious advisor of the King.
 Bali: Voluntary offerings to the chief by the people.
 Weapons: Made of stone, wood, bone and metal were used.

Society
 Jana: People who gave their faithfulness to the tribe (Vis).
 Categories of Vis: Grama and Sangrama.
 Kula: It means family in Rig Veda.
 Varna: Caste of the People based on occupation. The four varnas were:
 Brahmins: Teachers and Priests
 Kshatriyas: Rulers and Administrators
 Vaishyas: Merchants and Bankers
 Sudras: Artisans and Labourers.

Religion
 Nature was worshipped by Vedic Aryans - earth, fire, wind, rain and thunder.
 No temples and no idol worship during this period.
Economic Condition
 Rig Vedic Aryans were pastoral people.
 Main occupation: Cattle rearing. They finally settled in Northern India, started agriculture,
cleared forests and cultivated land.
 Other occupations: Carpentry and spinning. Carpenters made chariots and ploughs
made with copper and bronze.
 Cotton and woolen fabrics also were made.

Rig Vedic Gods
 Indra: Aryan warlord and controlled the weather.
 Called as Purandhar or the destroyer of efforts.
 Varuna: Administrator of cosmic law.
 His worship gives signs of Bhakti
 Agni: Intermediary between Gods and Men. Lives in domestic hearth.
 Yama: A type of Adam.
 Soma: God of plants. Special God of Brahmanas.
Society
 Based on relationship, early Aryans were tribal and democratic.
 The Family was ancient and the birth of a son was desirable.
The Cows
 Most important form of wealth.
 Duhitri – word for daughter, meaning one who milks cows.
 Goghana – Indicates beef offered to guests.

15 | P a g e shop.ssbcrack.com