Even the Rajans and the Purohits were part of the clan network
The occupation was not based on Birth
Four-fold Division of Society based on Caste (see image)
Caste exogamy and rigid social hierarchy developed
Increasing cult of scarifies added to the power of the Brahmanas
Varna System
Varna (colour) was the basis of differentiation between Vedic and non-Vedic people (called ‘dasyus’ or ‘dasas’)
Rig Vedic society cannot be therefore called totally egalitarian society as social stratification was based on the division of labor and gender
Rig Vedic people familiar with slavery
The Varna system of social distinction became more distinct.
Varna system became based on birth and less on occupation
Varna-ashrama-dharma society: Showed four stages of life (see image)
Social mobility
People could change their profession and absence of strict social hierarchy
Restricted social mobility
Position of Women
Despite patriarchal society, women had important positions, were educated and had access to the assembly
They had the choice to choose their husband. No incidence of Sati, or Purdah
Their position in society
In the family, women were confined to household chores and subordinate position
Women were not permitted to attend public assemblies like Sabhas and Samitis.
Instances of Sati and Purdah
Despite these, there are a great examples of women scholars in this period such as Gargi, Maitreyi, and Katyayani
Marriage
Early Vedic people practised usually Monogamous marriage but Polygyny and Polyandry also existed
Levirate (marrying the husband’s younger brother on the death of husband) also existed
Niyoga marriage existed ( it was a variant of widow remarriage in which childless widow was temporarily married to the husband’s brother to produce children )
Child marriages became common.
Gotras were institutionalized. Marriage between persons of the same gotra was forbidden
Mention of Chandrayana Penance for men marrying women of the same gotra
