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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.
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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.