Social and Economic Institutions in Ancient India

This book throws a multi-coloured light on the social, economic organizations and institutions of the ancient India from the earliest times to the 12" century AD.

The initial section of this book explores Ancient Indian social structures, focusing on families and their diverse forms; Varna, Jati, the Ashrama system, the concept of Purushartha, and the Dasa system prevalent in Ancient India. The book also aims to explain the various samskaras like Garbhadhanam, Pumsavanam, Chudakavanam, Upanayanam, Samavartana and Vivaha. It also deals with the Ancient Indian education system and the position of women through the Ages.

The later part of the book is based on the economic institutions of the ancient Indian and deals with the economic life and activities of the people of the Indus Saraswati Valley civilization and Vedic age; Varta, which signifies the various types of livelihood followed by the early Indians. This book deals with Agriculture and animal husbandry; Trade and commerce; Land ownership, Land revenue and Taxation, and the financial institutions like the barter system, moneylending and the banking system followed by the ancient Indian people.

The book has been written keeping in mind the graduate and postgraduate students of history, UGC-NET, and civil service examinations. We hope that this book would be useful for the common readers as well.

Prof. D.C.Choubey (Dharmchand Choubey) completed his school education at Queens Inter College and pursued higher education at Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi. His research, titled "Indian Images of China: A Sino-Indian Historical Contact between the 18th and 20th Centuries," was conducted at Rajasthan University. Jaipur, under the guidance of Professor Vibha Upadhyaya. He is currently working as the Professor and Head of the Department of Brihattar Bharat and Area Studies at the Indira Gandhi National Center for the Arts in New Delhi.

He has authored several books, including 'Bharatiya Sanskriti ki Muul Pravritiya aur Dharayen', 'China through Indian Eyes' 'Bharat Cheen: Kitane Paas Kitane Duur', 'San Sattavan ki Shaurya Gaatha', and 'Itihas ke Siddhant Evam Itihaskaar. His research papers have been published in prominent national journals such as Nagari Pracharini Patrika, Jigyasa, Sanskritik Pravah, Itihas Darpan, Itihas Diwakar, and Kalakalpa.

An expert on the dissemination of Indian culture across Asia and its unique characteristics and legacy, he has participated as a session speaker and subject expert in numerous national and international seminars. Additionally, he served as the scriptwriter and was in charge of the art gallery titled 'India: The Mother of Democracy' in the new Parliament of India.

I must state at the outset that this work is not intended for specialists or experts. Instead, it is a modest attempt to provide a brief outline of the Social and Economic Institutions in Ancient India. Given the abundance of over two hundred existing titles available to students on this topic, it may seem unnecessary to introduce another one. Many of these works, authored by individuals, groups of historians, and institutions, are based on sound historical research. However, not all aspects of "Social and Economic Institutions in Ancient India" are covered comprehensively in a single volume. This book aims to fill that gap.

Written for English-medium students pursuing M.A. degrees in History and Sociology, as well as B.A. Honors in History, this book compiles material from various original studies, including "History of Dharmshastra" by P.V. Kane, "Hindu Social Organization" by P.H. Prabhu, "The Economic History of Ancient India" by S.K. Das, and "Trade and Commerce in Ancient India" by Balram Srivastava. Under the title "Social and Economic Institutions in Ancient India," this book explores a range of topics. These include the ancient Indian family system, varna and jati systems, Varnashrama Dharma, samskaras, ashramas, purusharthas, the institution of marriage, the education system and centers of education, and the position of women. Additionally, it covers ancient Indian village administration, agriculture, industry and labor, the guild system, land ownership, revenue and various taxes, trade and commerce, banking, and money lending, among others.

I sincerely hope this book will be a valuable resource for B.A. and M.A. students of History.

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Dr. Ajay Kumar Mishra, Mrs. Vinamra Sharma, Ms. Anushka Kaushik, Mr. Mahesh Krishnan, Ms. Khushi Gupta and Mr. Mohit Kumar for their invaluable cooperation and support in writing this book. I am also immensely grateful to Mr. Suman Pathak and Research India Press for their commitment and assistance in publishing this book.