10, June 2025

Trade and Economy in Vedic Civilization: A Historical Inquiry

Author(s): Dr. Tamali Mustafi

Authors Affiliations:

Associate Professor, Department of History
Surya Sen Mahavidyalaya, Siliguri, West Bengal, India

DOIs:10.2018/SS/202506003     |     Paper ID: SS202506003


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Abstract:  The study highlights how the economic setup and values of the Vedic era between 1500 BCE and 500 BCE were bound to the domain of ethics in the spiritual domain and socio-economic on the trade and livelihood nature of early Indian civilization. It attempts to study the economic activity of the period intertwined with Dharma (moral order) and Artha (material prosperity) in such a way that trade was concerned with ethical considerations, sustainability, and social welfare. The present study used the qualitative-historical-analytical method while utilising primary sources from Vedic literature-Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda which have later been interpreted from comparative philosophical and gendered perspectives. The core of the secondary literature included R.S. Sharma, Romila Thapar, A.S. Altekar, and Sri Aurobindo. Textual analysis is used to interpret exchanges by barter, social groups as agents of economic exchange, women's agency in trade, and rajas' agency in economic governance. Results from the investigation have demonstrated trading in Vedic society as communication, and as just and communal within the cosmic and moral order. Barter trade was most commonly practiced with cattle, grains and artisanal goods being the main channels of exchange. Women worked in agriculture, textile production and market trading though they maintained their own property and exercised only marginal economic autonomy. The rulers guaranteed distributive justice through the sacrificial systems. From a managerial perspective, this paves the way for alternative economic models centering ethics on commerce and sustainability and foregrounding inclusive participation.

   
Keywords: Vedic Civilization, Ancient Trade, Barter Economy, Dharma, Artha, Gender Roles, Historical Economics.  

Dr. Tamali Mustafi(2025); Trade and Economy in Vedic Civilization: A Historical Inquiry, Shikshan Sanshodhan : Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences,      ISSN(o): 2581-6241,  Volume – 8,   Issue –  6.,  Pp.13-19.        Available on –   https://shikshansanshodhan.researchculturesociety.org/


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