The community or people as a whole.
Explanation
The Rigvedic society was organized as a tribal polity based on kinship ties. The administrative structure was hierarchical, ascending from the family unit to the tribe.
Detailed Analysis:
- The Vish: In the Rigvedic political hierarchy, the term 'Vish' referred to the clan or the community of people as a whole. It was a larger unit than the village (Grama) but smaller than the tribe (Jana). The members of the Vish constituted the general mass of the tribe, often fighting in the militia during wars. The head of this unit was known as the Vishpati.
- Hierarchy of Units: The standard administrative divisions in the Early Vedic period were:
- Kula (Family) – Headed by Kulapa.
- Grama (Village) – Headed by Gramani.
- Vish (Clan/People) – Headed by Vishpati.
- Jana (Tribe) – Headed by Rajan (King).
- Evolution: In the Later Vedic period, the 'Vish' gradually came to represent the merchant and agricultural class, evolving into the Vaishya varna.
Incorrect Options:
- The group of priests who performed sacrifices.: The group of priests was referred to as Purohitas or Brahmins.
- The captured slaves used for manual labor.: Captured people or those outside the Aryan social order were often referred to as Dasas or Dasyus.
- The specific drink prepared from the Soma plant.: The drink prepared from the Soma plant was simply called Soma.
Key Takeaway:
The Rigvedic administrative hierarchy followed the order: Kula (Family) < Grama (Village) < Vish (Clan/People) < Jana (Tribe).