Early Vedic Age

(1500-1000 BC)

By- Manish Shrivastava

 Early or Rig Vedic Age
● The Rig Vedic Period represents the Rigvedic Names Modern Names
time period when the Rig Veda
Sindhu Indus
was composed.
● Some similarities are also found Vitasta Jhelum
with the Andronovo culture and Askini Chenab
the Mittani kingdoms & Avesta
Parushni Ravi
(oldest Iranian text –
Zoroastrianism) Vipasa Beas
● Initially, the Aryans lived in the
Shatudri Sutlej
land known as “Sapta Sindhu”
(Land of the Seven Rivers). Drishadvati Ghaggar
Geographical Area
● The early Aryans lived in the
geographical area covered by
eastern Afghanistan, North-West
Frontier Province, Punjab &
Western Uttar Pradesh.
● Rigveda also mentions about The
Himalayas, Mujavant mountains &
Samudra(Ocean).
● Ganga & Yamuna were not the
important rivers in the Rigvedic
period.
 Polity
Administration in Rig Vedic Period

● The polity of the early vedic Aryans was basically a Tribal(Jana)

polity with Tribal chief at the center (Rajana).
● Social grouping: kula (family) – grama – visa – jana.
● King was known as Gopaljanya i.e. protector of its people & cows
● King was assisted by Purohits, Senani & Gramanis.
● King’s position was hereditary (but could be removed from power if
found weak and inefficient or cruel). & have limited power.
 Polity
Assemblies & Administrative Division in Rig Vedic Period

● Several assemblies such as Sabha(elders members), Samiti(Policy

decision and political business), Vidhata(Resolve issue) & Gana are
mentioned in Rig Veda & even women were allowed to attend
Sabha & Vidhata assemblies.
● Two most important assemblies were Sabha & Samiti as even
kings & chiefs showed eagerness to win their support
● No introduction of taxes & offerings (Known as Bali) were made
voluntarily by people
● King did not maintain any regular army or bureaucracy as there
was no kingdom as such.
Economy
● They were semi-nomadic pastoral and
cattle-rearing people.
● Cattle rearing was primary occupation while
agriculture being secondary.
● Initially trade was conducted through the barter
system but later on coins called ‘nishka’ were in
use.
● Rig Veda mentions several artisans namely
Carpenters, Chariot makers, weavers, Leather
workers, Potters etc. along with term Ayas used
for copper or Bronze which shows metal working
was well known.
 Economy
● Cow was the most important animal of the Rigvedic
Aryans named as aghnya(not to be killed).
● Rajana was also called Gopa which means
protector of cows.
● Most of the wars were fought for the sake of cows
as the term for war in Rig Veda is Gavyuti
/Gavishthi i.e. search for cows (Hence cows seems
to have been most important form of wealth)&.
● Gomat(wealthy person)
● Gifts were made to priests in form of cows &
women slaves → Not in form of land
Religion

● The nature of religion was Naturalistic

like earth, fire, wind, rain, thunder, etc. by
personifying them into deities.
● Indra (thunder)-250 hymns was the
most important followed by Agni (fire)
200 hymns, Varuna/Ritasyagpa (rain)
30 hymns and Vayu (wind).
● Female deities were Ushas and Aditi.
● There were no temples and no idol
worship.
 Religion
Rigvedic Gods
Diti Mother of the Daityas

Usha Goddess of Dawn

Savitri Stimulator or God of light

Varuna God of water, clouds, oceans & rivers

Aditi Goddess of Eternity

Agni Priest of God

Maruta God of Storm

Soma God of Plants

Indra Destroyer of Enemies

 Social Structure

● Women enjoyed a respectable position. They were allowed to take

part in Sabhas and Samitis. There were women poets too (Apala,
Lopamudra, Viswavara and Ghosa).
● Cattle especially cows became very important.
● Monogamy was practised but polygamy was observed among
royalty and noble families.
● There was no child marriage & Marriageable age was 16 years.
● Rig veda speaks of Arya varna (Aryans) & Das or Dasyu varna
(Non Aryans), where possibly the distinction was on the basis of
colour.
Fashion & Entertainment
● Several kinds of ornaments,
both of gold and precious
stones, were worn by men and
women, both of whom also
oiled and combed their hair.
● The Vedic Aryans played the
lute (vina) & flute (vanshi)
● The chariot race was a
favourite sport and source of
entertainment.
Food & Drink

● Both animal and vegetable foods

were eaten by the Aryans.
● The main cereal produced by
Aryans Was Yava or Barely.
Godhuma or wheat is mentioned in
later Vedic texts.
● Sura was a famous intoxicant. The
woman too drank it. Soma drink was
used in all soma sacrifices.
 Society
● Society was patriarchal & the eldest male of the kutumba was the head of
the family.
● Society comprised of four varnas based on occupation of individuals.
● Varna system based on birth was not prevailing in this period.
● The four varnas (brahmana, kshatriya, vaishya & shudra) were
mentioned for the first time in the Purushsukta of Mandal 10 of Rigveda.
● Every member of same family was free to take any occupation.
● The fathers property was inherited by son.
● The ‘Niyoga’ system provided a childless widow could marry the younger
brother of deceased husband for the sake of progeny.
● The system of joint family prevailed.
Thank You