[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Vedic Index of Names and Subjects](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912) › v1.c3.s12.499 # Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.s12.499 Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.s12.499 - **Language:** English ### [v1.c3.s12.499](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s12.499) Grāma.—The primitive sense of this word, which occurs frequently from the Rigveda¹ onwards, appears to have been ‘village.’ The Vedic Indians must have dwelt in villages which were scattered over the country, some close together,² some far apart, and were connected by roads.³ The village is regularly contrasted with the forest (araṇya), and its animals and plants with those that lived or grew wild in the woods.⁴ The villages contained cattle, horses, and other domestic animals, as well as men.⁵ Grain was also stored in them.⁶ In the evening the cattle regularly returned thither from the forest.⁷ The villages were probably open, though perhaps a fort (Pur) might on occasion be built inside.⁸ Presumably they consisted of detached houses with enclosures, but no details are to be found in Vedic literature. Large villages (\*mahāgrāmāḥ\*) were known.⁹ - [Previous: v1.c3.s12.498](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s12.498) - [Next: v1.c3.s12.500](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s12.500) - [Up: v1.c3.s12](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s12) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s12.499](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s12.499) · Pramāṇa