Vedic Works and Occupations (An Old And Rare Book)

A treatise on the Vedic works and occupations has been devoted for discussion of the then people's technological works in major occupations like metallurgy etc. Such a work is taken as usage of metals for supplying them of the village community. Some sections viz. cultivation, animal rearing, weaving, leather industry, carpentry, smithy etc, are fully documented to appreciate the Vedic knowledge in regard to science and technology in ancient India.

As for rejoinder to have some ideas on the research work of technology there is a long discussion appending relevant information of the Indus Valley Civilization and the Vedic Culture. A comparative discussion is given topicwise and also in the appendices. The life-style and occupation of the Aryans are notable as an inquiry into the scientific theory and vocational practice during the Vedic period.

The early Vedic Aryans settled in the regions among the rivers variously noted in the Vedic hymns. The society of them was divided into tribes (Vis) settled in different regions mainly some groups known as Varna. Each group had separate occupations and activities in the society. In the RV IX. 112.3 the Poet's father was a physician, and mother was a grinder of corns whereas he himself was a priest.

These were three groups designated Varnas as Brahmana, Ksatriya and Vaisya. In addition to them there was also another group comprising the aborigines like either the dasa or dasyu at the period, and was enslaved called the Sudra. No rigidity was there to accept the Varnas among the higher three classes of the early Vedic people. The society was under either an elected or hereditory chief called Vispati or Rajan i.e. King.

The Brahmanas would do religious affairs of the priest imparting education in lieu of dakṣiņās, gifts and subsidies from the king as well as rich patrons. The most important occupation of a ksatriya or the royal class was to do the duties of warriors, and defence of the country. The Vaisyas were the traders, craftsmen, cultivators etc, whereas the Sudras were to do job serving three upper groups same as above.

The Rgveda showed dignity of labour. The carpenters, chariotmakers occupied a dignified place in the society. They would as Vaisyas enjoy the right of representation as one of the Ratnins, the King's councellors. But in the Atharvaveda the chariotmakers were degraded, and treated to be as Sūdras.

**Contents and Sample Pages**