Mesopotamia and India are two most ancient civilizations of the world. Both of these civilizations were developed, well-organized and prosperous centuries ago. These ancient civilizations successfully developed an urban infrastructure system, agriculture, trade, art and architecture along with a well-organized society with appropriate provisions of law and order. These ancient societies were guided by their own religious codes. Hammurabi code propounded guiding principles for Mesopotamia while Bhagwat Gita guided the society of India. This paper intends to discuss how these religious codes successfully managed ancient societies of India and Mesopotamia in ancient times.
It is not easy to manage a society without having some guiding ideas. The society needs some regulations in order to establish law and order and proper disciplinary system in the society. Today there are a bunch of laws, rules and regulations that manage the society, but people wonder how ancient societies were managed in ancient times when there were no rules and specified laws. The society was managed by the religious principles and their guidance in ancient civilizations (Sundem & Pikiewicz).
Mesopotamia and India were two most developed and well managed societies of the ancient world. These societies were developed in every term including agriculture, art, architecture, trade, social behavior and law and order. Everything was well organized, and people used to follow the rules of the society. The code of Hammurabi is considered to be one of the most ancient law codes of the world (Hammurabi). Mesopotamians used to follow each and every idea of their legal code. Those who did not follow the rules, mentioned in Hammurabi code were severely punished as per the provisions of Hammurabi code (Wildwood & Matthews).
Hammurabi code guided Mesopotamians and since they were bound to follow the ideas of this code; the society was in a perfect order. There were severe penal provisions for those who did not abide according to the norms of the Hammurabi code. The Hammurabi code dealt with every aspect of the contemporary society. It guided about the human conduct, marriage laws, parenting, social behavior, trade norms, development and all other things that were necessary for smooth operation of Mesopotamian society (Hammurabi).
Bhagwat Gita guided Indian society. People of Indian society were very intellectual, and artistic who excelled in all other areas. When people of other civilizations were not acquainted with a proper urban system, Indians used to reside in big cities with very modern infrastructure. These cities were clean and well maintained. Ancient Indian cities were famous for their structure and drainage systems. Agriculture and art were highly developed, and people were experts in art and architectures (Miller).
Bhagwat Gita guided human conduct and social behavior of Indians in ancient times. The society was in a perfect order. There was a clear demarcation among the people of Indian society. Priests used to hold the highest place and workers were at the lowest place in the contemporary Indian society. Every individual was assigned tasks as per his caliber and social stratification. People used to follow the ideas of Bhagwat Gita, and this was the reason why society functioned in very smoother way (Sen).
Having observed an overview of both the most ancient civilizations, I can say that I would have chosen to live in India because Indian society was comparatively more advanced and sophisticated. Indians made more peaceful society. Mesopotamians used to live in order because they were afraid of penal provisions of Hammurabi code, but Indians volunteered to follow the principles of Bhagwat Gita even there were no penal provisions.
Works Cited
Hammurabi. The Code of Hammurabi. USA: Wildside Press LLC, 2009.
Miller, Barbara. The Bhagavad-Gita. New York: Random House Publishing Group, 2004.
Sen, Sailendra Nath. Ancient Indian History and Civilization. New Delhi: New Age International, 1999.
Sundem, G., & Pikiewicz, K. Hands-on History: Ancient Civilizations Activities. USA: Shell Education, Teacher Created Materials, 2005.
Wildwood, G., & Matthews, R. Ancient Mesopotamian Civilization. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group, 2010.
