MHI-06 Evolution of Social Structures in India Through
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Indira Gandhi MHI-06 National Open University School of Social Sciences Evolution of Social Structures in India Through the Ages Block 3 EARLY HISTORIC SOCIETIES: 6TH CENTURY B.C. TO 4TH CENTURY A.D. UNIT 8 Urban Classes: Traders and Artisans, Extension of Agricultural Settlements 5 UNIT 9 Chaityas, Viharas and their Interaction with Tribal Groups 13 UNIT 10 Early Tamil Society — Regions and their Cultures and Cult of Hero Worship 19 UNIT 11 Marriage and Family Life, Notions of Untouchability, Changing Patterns in Varna and Jati 33 Suggested Readings 42 Expert Committee Dr. Nayanjot Lahiri Prof. Yogendra Singh Delhi University, Formerly Professor at Centre for Delhi Study of Social Systems, J N U, New Delhi Prof. M G S Narayanan Prof. Satish Saberwal Formerly Professor of History Formerly Professor of History Calicut University, Calicut C H S, J N U , New Delhi Prof. Dilbagh Singh Prof. A R Khan Professor of History Programme Coordinator C H S, J N U IGNOU New Delhi New Delhi Programme Coordinator Prof. A.R. Khan Course Coordinator Ajay Mahurkar Block Editor Dr. Ajay Dandekar Block Preparation Team Unit No. Resource Person IGNOU Faculty 8 Dr. Ajay Dandekar, Ajay Mahurkar Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Tuljapur 9 Dr. Ajay Dandekar Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Tuljapur 10 Dr. Selva Kumar Deccan College, Pune 11 Dr. Swayam Panda Deccan College, Pune Material Production Secretarial Assistance Mr. Jitender Sethi Mr. Mahesh Kumar Mr. S.S. Venkatachalam Mr. Sunil Patwal Mr. Manjit Singh November, 2006 Indira Gandhi National Open University, 2006 ISBN-81-266- All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced in any form, by mimeograph or any other means, without permission in writing from the Indira Gandhi National Open University. Further information on Indira Gandhi National Open University courses may be obtained from the University's office at Maidan Garhi. New Delhi-110 068. Printed and published on behalf of the Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi by the Director, School of Social Sciences. Paper Used : Agrobased Environment Friendly Laser Typeset by : Tessa Media & Computers, C-206, A.F.E.-II, Okhla, New Delhi Printed at : BLOCK 3 EARLY HISTORIC SOCIETIES: 6TH CENTURY B.C. TO 4TH CENTURY A.D. This block deals with a conglomeration of themes. We hope to illustrate the nature of early historic societies through them. The first unit i.e. Unit 8 deals with what is called the second urbanisation in India. It seeks to familiarise you with the nature of this urabanisation and show you how in this process merchants and artisans emerged as distinct social groups. The unit will also cover the process of formation of guilds as distinct organisation of merchants, artisans and craftsmen, which emerged in this period. We will also show you how the caste system accommodated different groups, which came up in this period and strengthened itself. Unit 9 deals with the vexed question of Chaityas and Viharas and their interaction with tribal groups. It examines the general social milieu within which Chaityas and Viharas get established. Then it investigates the notion of a tribe. Finding evidence of the interaction with tribes insufficient it posits that we need greater commitment to research to find such linkages. The Unit 10 on early Tamil society takes us southwards and examines the Tamil region and its cultures in some detail. It brings out the valuable evidences of Hero stones to highlight the importance of the cult of hero worship in the early historical society in the Tamil region. Unit 11 focuses on the diverse practices of marriage by comparing the Vedic and the Buddhist sources. How the practice of Marriage was influenced by the changing notions of Varna and Jati is further examined in this unit. Early Historic Societies: 6th Century B.C. to 4th Century A.D. 4 UNIT 8 URBAN CLASSES: TRADERS AND ARTISANS, EXTENSION OF AGRICULTURAL SETTLEMENTS Structure 8.0 Introduction 8.1 The Second Urbanization in India 8.2 Extension of Agricultural Settlements 8.3 Traders Artisans and Guilds 8.4 Guild Laws 8.5 Guild Structure 8.6 Functions of the Guilds 8.7 Summary • 8.8 Glossary 8.9 Exercises 8.0 INTRODUCTION The period from sixth century B.C. to fourth century A.D. represents a crucial phase in Indian history. It is in this period that the impact of ‘second urbanisation’ was felt in India. This period witnessed the rise of Buddhism and Jainism, formation of early states, emergence of an imperial system, development of caste and class distinctions, intensification of inland and overseas trade, emergence of numerous urban centres and expansion of agriculture with the effective use of iron technology and the adoption of Brahmi script. The initial focus of the second urbanization process was on the Ganga Valley and, it spread to other parts of India around the early centuries of the Christian era, e.g., the Deccan and the extreme south. Around 600 B.C. the large territorial entities — known as Mahajanapadas — were active in the Ganga-Yamuna Valley. The metropolitan state of the Mauryas came into existence towards the end of fourth century B.C. and it continued to control most part of sub continent till about second century B.C. The Maurya rule attained its zenith under Asoka. Several new states emerged in the sub continent as the decline in the Mauryan Imperial System set in. 8.1 THE SECOND URBANIZATION IN INDIA Urbanization is a complex socio-economic process by which ‘cities’ emerge amidst/ from rural settlements. Traditionally the urban-rural dichotomy dominated the urban studies though now scholars question the binary conceptual distinction between urban and rural in the context of the studies in the area of urbanisation. Hence the focus has shifted to the study urbanization process. How can we decide whether traces of urbanization are present in a particular historical context? A number of parameters are used to ascertain the presence of urbanisation in a particular situation. Gordon Childe lists the following ten criteria for determining the presence of urbanization: 1) Permanent settlement in dense aggregations; 2) Nonagricultural specialists; 3) Taxation and wealth accumulation; 5 Early Historic Societies: 4) Monumental public buildings; 6th Century B.C. to 4th Century A.D. 5) Ruling class; 6) Writing techniques; 7) Predictive science; 8) Artistic expression; 9) Trade for vital materials; and 10) Decline in importance of kinship. These have been supplemented by other indicators as well and the list grows. Here we are more concerned with the processes of urbanisation and the new classes it threw up in the early historic phase of Indian history. The Indus Valley/Harappan Civilization which flourished in third millennium B.C to middle of second millennium B.C. witnessed the first phase of urbanization in India. The genesis of the second phase of urbanization can be located in the state formation in Magadha in the sixth century B.C. This phase lasts till the fourth century A.D. During this phase, several urban centres, which functioned as political headquarters besides functioning as the nuclei of traders and artisans, make their appearance across the sub continent. The epi-centre of the early phase can said to have been in the region of Magadha which occupied the rich gangetic belt and straddled the river route. Most of the criteria proposed by Childe to detect the existence of urbanization process are evident in the period from 600 B.C. to 400 A.D. Many urban centres with dense population appeared, with a few having fortification wall around. Use of Brahmi script also began in this period. Buddhism and Jainism grew and spread and these sects criticized the rituals and sacrifices and questioned the dominance of Brahmanas. Thus they became popular among the groups placed at the bottom of the social hierarchy. Buddhism made attempts, though unsuccessfully, to do away with the caste system. Buddhists also admitted women in their monasteries. Long distance trade began to flourish from the beginning to the Christian era. The trade with the Roman Empire and the Southeast Asian countries was active. We hear from Greek writers that the balance of the Indo-Roman trade was in favour of India. The Caturvarna system further transformed and strengthened in this period. Merchants, artisans and peasants were incorporated into system under broad caste categories. As a result of urbanization merchants and artisans were treated as distinct social groups. The wealth brought by trade activities enabled the merchants to move up in the social hierarchy, which consisted of Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Sudras. The merchants received support from the Buddhist monasteries and in turn they gave material support to these establishments. The alliance between the merchants and monasteries saw their successful spread in parts of Deccan and south and Sri Lanka from the Ganga-Yamuna Valley. The peasants also gained some importance, as farming began to play an important role. Most of the artisans and craftsmen were placed in the Sudra group. The social hierarchy became stringent in due course and with caste began to play a major role the way of life of the people. Individuals could not change the castes, but the castes could move up in the social hierarchy. 8.2 EXTENSION OF AGRICULTURAL SETTLEMENTS Extension of agricultural settlements was one of the key factors that supported the second urbanization. The increased, effective use of iron technology and the demand 6 for agricultural produce to feed the non-agricultural specialists living in the towns and the population increase led to the necessity of bringing more untamed lands under Urban Classes: Traders and cultivation and occupation. Satapatha Brahmana (800-600 B.C.) mentions the clearing Artisans, Extension of Agricultural Settlements forest using fire.