Vedic Age

"Pani" during the Rigvedic period were a class of traders.

Most popular and prevalent system of governance during the Vedic era was descended monarchy. Although some examples of election by the people were also found but the general interest of the public was towards monarchy.

During the Vedic era, the two institutions namely 'Sabha' and the 'Samiti' have been mentioned as the controlling powers upon the autocracy of the king. The 'Sabha' was the assembly of the learned and elite ones, while the 'Samiti' was the assembly of the common people in the state.

The clear distinction between Sabha and Samiti cannot be made but it is clear that 'Sabha' and Samiti' were clearly mentioned in the Atharva Veda as the two daughters of Prajapati.

Several tribal or the clan-based assemblies such as the Sabha, Samiti, Vidatha are mentioned in the Rigveda. Among them Sabha was associated with the judicial function. Sabha is mentioned eight times in Rigveda. Sabha and Samiti are mentioned as two daughters of Prajapati in Atharvaveda.

Bhagadugha was associated with revenue administration in Vedic administration.

'Ayurveda' that is 'Science of Life appeared first in Atharvaveda. Ayurveda is an Upaveda of Atharva Veda. It describes the thoughts and superstitions of common people. It comprises of various contents such as disease prevention, coordination, loyalty, marriage and love poetry.

The most interesting aspect of Rig Vedic religion was its polytheistic character in which a number of Gods were worshipped. The Rig Vedic Aryans worshipped nature with intense feeling and endowed it with animated soul. Vedic Gods were mainly classified into three groups- (1) God of sky-Varuna, Mitra, Surya, Vishnu, etc. (2) God of space- Indra, Rudra, etc. (3) God of the earth- Agni, Brihaspati, Soma, etc. Whenever these Vedic saints worship any God, they consider him to be the Supreme God, this is known as Ekaikyavaad. Other than this in Rigveda Ekeshwarvaad is supported by saying Ekm Satt vipra bahudha badanti". Ekeshwarvaad of Rigveda included vision of Advaityavaad, Sarvadevtavaad and Bahudevatavaad. But the concept of one supreme God of Vedas is different form the modern Ishwarvaad.

'Indra' has been described as the ost powerful deity in the Rig Veda. 'Indra' is the most important divinity in the Rig-Veda. A very large number of Rig Veda hymns (as maximum as 250 hymns) are devoted to him followed by 'Agni' (200 hymns).

In the Rig Veda, a maximum number of hymns are devoted to the God 'Indra'. He was the Storm-God and referred to as the Sky-God and the God of War. The Vedas describe Indra as the God who wields the thunderbolt.