Final answer:
In the early Vedic age, cattle, especially cows, were the most important form of wealth. They were central to the livelihood of the Aryans, held a sacred status, and were foundational to the social hierarchy of Vedic society.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the early Vedic age, the most important form of wealth for people was cattle, particularly cows. The Indo-Europeans, also known as 'Aryans', who followed the Vedic religion, were initially pastoralists and though they gradually turned to farming, cattle breeding remained a significant aspect of their livelihood. Cows held a sacred status and functioned as not only a symbol of wealth but also served practical purposes, providing milk as a dietary staple and serving as draft animals in agriculture. Over time, the agricultural production grew to include key crops like rice, millet, wheat, barley, lentils, and peas, yet cattle continued to have precedence in terms of wealth and social standing.
The Vedic society structured itself along a hierarchical system known as the varna, which comprised the Brahmans at the summit, followed by Kshatriyas (aristocratic warriors), Vaishyas (merchants and commoners), and Sudras (servant class). In such a society, wealth, primarily in the form of cattle, was a determinant of one's place in the social strata. As the society evolved, emerging religious practices and the establishment of the caste system further cemented the association between wealth, social status, and religious power.