The Vedic period

Sources: Vedas and Epics (brief mention) Iron Artifacts and Pottery.
Brief comparative study of Early and Later Vedic society and economy.

The period when the Aryans first settled in India is known as the Early Vedic Period
(1500BC-1000BC). It is believed that the Aryans followed the course of the river and
settled along the valleys of the Ganga and Yamuna.
The Aryans, so far nomadic in nature, gradually settled in the Gangetic Valley. This
period is known as the Later Vedic Age (1000BC to 500BC).

The culture of the period is referred to as Vedic culture because it was based on the
Vedic Texts.
SOURCES
A.Literary sources.
Early Vedic texts:

I. Hymns of the Rig Veda.

Later Vedic Texts:
I. Sama, Yajur and Atharva Veda and their Samhitas.
II. The Brahmanas.
III. The Aranyakas.

IV. The Upanishads.

• The social, economic, political and religious aspects of life of the people came
to be reflected in the Vedic Literature.

• The Vedic Literature was written in Sanskrit. (Sanskrit word ‘vid’ means
knowledge.)

• Vedic Literature is divided into two parts, namely Shruti and Smriti. Shruti was
revealed orally by the Gods to the sages and they passed on that knowledge
orally from generation to generation. Smriti was composed by the Rishis.
The Vedas.
(i) The Rig Veda

• Oldest religious text in the world and is therefore known as the first testament
of mankind. It was composed during the Early Vedic Period.

• The hymns are dedicated by the sages to the Gods and passed orally from
teachers to their disciples.

• It contains the famous “Gayatri Mantra’. Much of the Indian Philosophy is

based on the Rig Veda.
 • The Rig Vedic hymns are the authentic source of knowledge of the life of the
people of the time.
(ii) The Sama Veda:

• The word Sama means sweet song or melody.

• These hymns were meant to be sung at the time of sacrifice by the priests.

(iii) The Yajur Veda.

• It deals with hymns recited during the performance of the Yajnas.

• The hymns in this Veda throw light on the social and religious life of the
Aryans.
(iv) The Atharva Veda:
The hymns contained in this Veda deal with magic and charm.

The hymns also deal with gyan (knowledge), Karma (action) and upasana
(invocation).
The Brahmanas:

• They are in prose form.

• They explain the social and religious importance of rituals as well as the value
of sacrifices.
The Aranyakas;

• They are known as ‘forest books’ written for the guidance of hermits and
students living in the forest.

• Their main themes are mysticism and philosophy.

The Upanishads:

• They are philosophical commentaries on the Vedas.

• The doctrines such as Karma, Moksha and Maya are explained in detail.

• The Upanishads are the basic source of Indian philosophy.

The Epics.

• The Ramayana was originally composed in Sanskrit. The Sanskrit version

is said to be the work of Maharshi Valmiki.

• The Mahabharata is written in Sanskrit language and is believed to be the

work of Sage Vyasa.The Bhagvad Gita, which forms part of the
Mahabharata, is one of the most popular religious texts considered sacred
by many people in India.
 The importance of the Epics:

• The Epics serve as a main source of information on the political institutions

and the social and cultural organisation of the Epic Age.

• They provide information on various Aryan Kingdoms, their armies and the
weapons they used.

• They reveal the high ideals of family life of the Aryans.

• The Bhagwad Gita elaborates the Karma philosophy and the immortality of
the soul.
B. Archaeological sources.
Iron Artifacts.

• Iron Age began in 1000BC.

• It was harder than copper, cheap and available in plenty.

• It was used to make implements not only for agriculture but also for
weaving, spinning, carpentry etc.

• Because of its durability and easy availability, iron was extensively used
for the making of weapons like swords, armours and shields.
Pottery.

• The Grey Ware pottery, at different sites in Punjab and Haryana is

believed to belong to the Rig Vedic Aryans.

• Painted Grey Ware pottery, corresponds to Later Vedic Period. It was

made out of high quality clay with geometric and floral patterns painted on
it.

• The pottery includes open mouthed bowls and dishes.

SOCIETY
Social Organisation.

• Aryans lived in villages.

• Family was the fundamental unit of the society. It was patriarchal. This means
that the oldest male member of the family was its head. He was called the
Grihapati or Kulapati.
Early Vedic Age:
King was elected by the
tribe.

Gramini, the Purohita performed

Senani, commander
Village head religious ceremonies
of the Army.

Three popular assemblies advised the king

The Sabha, which was The Vidhata performed all
the Council of elders kinds of military, religious and
performed advisory or social functions. Women
judicial functions actively participated in the
deliberations of the Vidhata.
The Samiti was the
assembly of the
people and was called
to session on special
occasions.

Later Vedic Age: ➢ Kingship became hereditary and divine

elements came to be associated with the
king.

➢ The Sabha and Samiti came to be

dominated by chiefs, rich nobles.

➢ Women were no longer permitted to join

these assemblies.

Position of women

Early Vedic Age:

• Women were respected.

• The Institution of marriage was considered sacred. The daughters were given
freedom to choose their husbands.
 • There were no examples of child marriage. The marriageable age was 16 or
17.

Later Vedic Age:

• Significant decline in status of women.

• Their participation in yajnas was not considered necessary.

• They did not enjoy right to property.

• The freedom to choose husbands was curtailed.

Class Divisions.

Early Vedic Age:

• The early Aryans called the local inhabitants, Dasyus and did not mix with
them.

• The tribal chiefs and priests based on their status amassed large amount
wealth at the cost of their kinsman. This led to divisions in the Society,

• Society got divided into warriors, priests and the people.

• The fourth division called the Shudras appeared towards the end of the Rig
Vedic period.

• In the Early Vedic period the society was divided into different classes. A
person could adopt any profession of his choice.

Later Vedic Age:

• Brahmans, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras became four distinct castes or

varnas.

• The caste system became rigid.

• The upper castes enjoyed many privileges.

• Inter caste marriage was not prevalent.

The four Ashramas.

In the Early Vedic Period, man grew up according to family traditions.

In the Later Vedic Period, the whole lifespan of an Aryan came to be divided into four
periods.The four stages of life are known as four ashramas each of 25 year duration.

Brahmacharya Pupil was expected to acquire knowledge in the Gurukul and observe strict discipline.

Grihastha Man was supposed to marry and raise a family.

Vanaprastha Man was required to retire from worldly life and acquire spiritual and philosophical
 knowledge.

Sanyasa Man had to leave everything and go into meditation in order to attain Moksha or
salvation.

Education.

• The Gurukul system of education became well established in the Later Vedic
Period.

• The residence of the guru called the Gurukul was usually located in the
outskirts of the city and even in forests.

• The students lived there and had to perform household chores for his teacher.

• The Guru treated his students like his own children.

• Most of the teaching was done orally. The subjects of study included Vedas,
Grammar, Mathematics, Ethics, Military Science.

• At the completion of education, a student used to give guru dakshina- a gift to

his teacher.

The women teachers like Maitreyi and Gargi were considered gifted and were greatly
respected.

Early Vedic Period Later Vedic Period

Food The main cereal was barley. Wheat and rice were introduced.

Milk and Milk products.

Religious Belief.

Early Vedic Age:

• Worshipped forces of nature like Indra, the Rain God, Agni the Fire God,
Varuna the God of waters, Vayu, the God of Wind, Surya, the Sun God etc.

Later Vedic Age:

• Prajapati, the creator or Brahma became the supreme God.

• Simplicity of nature worship was lost. Rituals and sacrifices (yajnas) became a
daily routine.

Economy.

Early Vedic Age:

 • Economy was primarily pastoral.

• Shifting cultivation was practised.

• Cattle was an important source of wealth.

• Many engaged in trade and commerce.

• Dyeing, weaving, pottery, crafts in gold and iron were important occupations.

Later Vedic Age:

• Agriculture was the main occupation along with domestication of animals.

• Land was an important source of wealth.

• Trade had become very important.

• Many new occupations like physicians, musicians etc emerged.

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