• Major system of society of Satavahana and other contemporary dynasties is largely followed from its predecessors.

Social Classes

  • Varna and Ashrama systems continued to govern the society.
  • The society consisted of four Varnas, namely −
    • Brahman,
    • Kshatriya,
    • Vaishya, and
    • Sudra.
  • Dharmasastras described the duties, status, and occupations of all the four Varnas.
  • Over a period of time, there was great increase in the number of mixed Jatis (castes).
  • Manusmriti defines the origin of the numerous mixed (sankara) Varnas.
  • Anuloma was the marriage between the male of higher Varna and the female of lower Varna.
  • Pratiloma was the marriage between the male of lower Varna and the female of higher Varna.
  • The social status of a person born of Anuloma was higher than Partilomaand they followed their father’s occupation.
  • According to the Buddhist texts, mixed castes resulted from organizations like guilds of people following different arts and crafts.
  • The Buddhist texts described that a Kshatriya working successively as a potter, basket-maker, reed-worker, garland-maker, and cook. Setthi (Vaisya) working as a tailor and a potter without loss of prestige in both cases.
  • Kshatriyas of the Sakya and Koliya clans cultivated their fields.
  • The Vasettha Sutta refers to Brahmans working as cultivators, craftsmen, messengers, and landlords.
  • The Jatakas mentioned that Brahman pursuing tillage, tending cattle, trade, hunting, carpentry, weaving, policing of caravans, archery, driving of carriages, and even snake charming.
  • Jatakas story tells that a Brahman peasant as a supremely pious man and even a Bodhisattva.
  • The gradual absorption of foreigners like Indo-Greek, Sakas, Yavanas, Kushanas, and Parthians into the Indian society was the most important development of this period.
  • The life of an individual man was divided into four stages. The stages are called as Ashramas.

Stages of Life

  • The four stages of an individual life as mentioned in Dharmasutras are −
    • Brahmacharya − In this ashrama, a person lives a celibate life as a student at the home of his teacher.
    • Grihastha − After learning the Vedas, a student returns back to his home, gets married, and becomes a Grihastha (householder). Grihasthahas manifold duties broadly marked out as (i) yajna (ii) adhyayana (iii) dana
    • Vanaprastha − In the middle age, after seeing his grandchildren; he leaves home for the forest to become a hermit.
    • Sanyas − Sanyas ashrama is the time meditation and penance; one frees his soul from material things. He leaves hermitage and becomes a homeless wanderer and thus, earthly ties have been broken.

Family Life

  • The joint family system was the main characteristics of the society.
  • The family was considered as the unit of the social system and not the individual.
  • Obedience to parents and elders was held as the highest duty for the children.
  • Marriage between the same Jatis was also preferred though intermarriage between different Jatis was prevalent.
  • The marriage in the same ‘gotra’ and ‘pravara’ is restricted.
  • Dharmasastras explained eight forms of marriage, namely −
    • Brahma Vivah,
    • Daiva Vivah,
    • Arsha Vivah,
    • Prajapatya Vivah,
    • Asura Vivah,
    • Gandharva Vivah,
    • Rakshasa Vivah, and
    • Paisacha Vivah.
  • Among all these eight (as discussed above), Paisacha Vivah is condemned by all the Dharmasatras.
  • Ideal marriage is one in which the father and guardian of the girls selected the bridegroom on an account of his qualifications.
  • The women hold an honorable position in the society and household.
  • Two classes of women students are mentioned as −
    • Brahmavadin or lifelong students of sacred texts and
    • Sadyodvaha who pursued their studies till their marriage.
  • Women not only attained good education, but also received training in fine arts like music, dancing, and painting.
  • Dharmasastras described that in the family property, all the sons had equal share, but a large number of Dharmasastras rejected the right of women to inherit.
  • Yajnavalkya lays down a list of priority in inheritance, which places the sequences as son, wife, and daughter.
  • The right of a wife to inherit if no sons were living, has been accepted by most of the ancient Indian authorities.
  • Women were allowed to have some personal property known as Stree-dhana in the form of jewelry, clothing, etc.

  • The Arthashastra mentioned that a woman can own money up to 2,000 silver panas and amount above this could be held by her husband in trust on her behalf.