Hindu Polity: A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times c9.4

c9.4

¹ In Vedic times, Hindu Society was divided into *Janas*, tribes or nations *e.g.*, Anus, Yadus, Kurus. But, at the same time, they were conscious of the fact that they all belonged to one common race, for all of them called themselves "*āryas*" आर्याः The people or the tribe were called *Viśaḥ* (विशः), from which the word *Vaiśya* ('one of the people' — 'the commoner') is derived. On Vedic Society, consult Zimmer, *Altindisches Leben*. See also Macdonell and Keith, *Vedic Index*, sub *Ārya*, *Jana*, etc.