Political Condition of Later Vedic Period

     Political Condition of Later Vedic Period

We come to know from the epics that the Aryans had advanced further from the Punjab to the interior of the country.They had established their authority over the fertile Gangetic valley.During the epic age ,Aryans crossed the Vindhyachal mountain and established friendly relations with Deccan as Bali and Sugriva have been mentioned as foreign rulers in the Ramayana.Moreover,in take great war of the Mahabharata various kings from Deccan come to take part as friends of either Kauravas or Pandvas.

Rise of Powerful States-Aryans had now established powerful kingdoms like Panchala,Kashi,Kosala etc.The ideal of Samrat and Samrajya had taken a concrete shape during the Epic Age kings had now begun to adopt the titles like Samrat ,Adhiraj, Rajadhiraj and Sarvabhauma.

Position of King-The king used to hold all the supreme powers of the state.Though the king during the Epic Age was a hereditary monarch,yet he was not the absolute despot.He had to to rule over his subjects with the principles of justice and morality.He was a benevolent monarch and not a cruel administrator.

There was a Mantri Parishad also to help the king in the work of administration but there were no popular assemblies like Sabha and Samitis.

The kings were used to live in pomp and show. They often devoted themselves to gambling,music,hunting,fishing,wrestling and drinking.

Military Organisation-The kings used to pay more attention to the organisation of the army.The army consisted of infantry, cavalry, archery, chariots and elephants.The art of warfare was quite advanced.The soldiers and officers considered death at the battle-field to be the noblest achievement.The chief weapons were bow and arrow ,swords , spears and battle axes.The references to 'Viman' in the Ramayana and fire weapons or missiles in the Mahabharata also point to the fierceness of the battle.

Sources of Income-The king used to realize some taxes from the people and accept the presents which he generally spent for the good for public .The theory of taxation was "as the sun takes away water from the sea and returns it in the form of rains,so the king should have taxes and utilize them for the welfare of the subjects."

Judicial System-The king was the fountainhead of justice.No partiality was done while making a judgement.The study of the epics reveals that the culprits and accused were punished severely.There is a reference of the fire test in the Ramayana. Sita had to face the fire ordeal in the order to prove her chastity.