Rural Social Structure in Orissa (400-1000 AD): Caste and Occupational Groups
By R. C. Misra
Summary
The Orissan inscriptions from 400-1000 AD reveal a rural social structure centered on the fourfold varna system, with occupational sub-castes like gokutas (cowherds), saundiras (distillers), and tantavayas (weavers) forming distinct functional groups. Gokutas, integral to village economies, managed cattle for milk, dung (used as fuel and fertilizer), and agricultural labor. Land grants, such as those from Dharmmamahadevi and Subhakara Deva, document gokuta settlements within villages, often under Brahmin control, indicating their subordination and service roles. Weaving, led by tantavayas, was a significant rural industry, with villages like Tarataloi and Santiragrama recording textile production and cloth distribution. Inscriptions reference cotton garments and textile manufacturing as early as the 3rd century AD, highlighting Orissa’s role in regional textile trade. Brahmin dominance is evident, as land grants often transferred weavers and other occupational groups to Brahmin recipients, reinforcing social hierarchies. While epigraphic records detail rural economic activities, they remain silent on payment structures for gokutas and lower-class artisans, suggesting varied remuneration systems. The study underscores the importance of pastoralism, weaving, and Brahminical authority in shaping early medieval Orissa’s rural social and economic landscape.
Conclusion
The study of Orissan inscriptions (400-1000 A.D.) reveals a complex rural social structure dominated by the Brahmin class, with occupational groups like Gokutas (cowherds) and Tantavayas (weavers) playing significant roles in village economies. Land grants frequently mention these groups, highlighting their subordination to Brahmins, who controlled resources and received proceeds from their labor. The Gokutas, essential for cattle maintenance and agricultural support, likely served as communal herdsmen, while Tantavayas contributed to textile production, indicating specialized rural industries. The inscriptions suggest a hierarchical system where Brahmins held superior rights, often receiving entire villages, including their populations, as grants. This social stratification underscores the Brahminical dominance in early medieval Orissa, with occupational groups forming the economic backbone of rural life. The epigraphic evidence points to a structured yet flexible rural economy, where land management, textile production, and cattle rearing were central