Aryan Culture

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Theory of Arctic Region : Bala Gangadhara Tilak.

Theory of Europe: Philippo Sassetti and Sir William

Jones
Theory of Tibet: Swami Dayananda Saraswati.

Theory of Sapta Sindhu: Avinash Chandra Das.

Theory of Central Asia: Max Muller of Germany.

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 Sutudri (Sutlej)
Vipasa (Beas)
Asikni (Chenab)
Parosni (Ravi)
Vitasta (Jhelum)
Sindhu (Indus)
Saraswati

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 They were tall & fair-complexioned people
with sharp features, & strong

Indians, Germans, Spanish, French& Persians

pride themselves to be the true descendents
of the Aryans

They might have been forced to migrate due

to shortage of food and green fields for
their cattle
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Early Vedic Age 1500BC-1000 B.C
Later Vedic Age 1000-600 B.C

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 Early Vedic Age

Rig Veda: 1500 B.C -1000 B.C

1017 hymns (sukta)
10 books or Mandals
10 Mandal composed around 1000 B.C

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 The Aryans who entered India were only
groups of semi-nomadic tribes.

They were primarily a pastoral people.

The Aryans tribes settled in different

regions of Northwestern India.

The tribes were called Gana ( meaning

collection of peoples)
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 Political organization

Family or Kula Kulapati

Grama Gramani
Vis - Visyapati
(Tribe) Jana - Rajan

Purohita
Senani

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Sahba :
Body of elders
To discuss local issues
Samithi :whole people
To discuss national issues
Vidhata:
Religious Assembly
Customs and traditions were organized as
law(rule and regulations only) of the land,
which even the king could not neglect.
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Position of King

Monarchy became the system of Government

and king had limited powers

He received voluntary contribution from the

people for his services. ( Bali)

He had to obey the orders of sabha

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Social conditions

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Social Divisions

Learning Group
Protectors
Farmers
Working class

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 They lived in the villages and social life was
simple, sacred and smooth.
They lived in wooden houses.

Family was the basic unit in the society.

Master of house was called grhapati .

Father had complete control over his

children.
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 Position of women
Every sphere of life they enjoyed equality
with men.
Education also received like men.
They had a chance to choose their husbands.
Monogamy was the usual rule in Rig Vedic
society.
Avala, Viswavara and Gargi offered hymns and
performed sacrifices.
No Religious rites and rituals could be
complete without spouse presence.
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 Widow marriage was also allowed during this
period
No Sati system and early marriages
Food: Wheat and barley were main food
grains
Milk products: butter, ghee and curd
Dress: Vasa ( an undergarment), Adhivasa (
Upper garment)
Chariot -racing and horse racing
Music: both vocal and instrumental was well-
known
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Religious conditions:
The religion of early Aryans was plain and
simple.
The early Aryans used to please their gods by
means of sacrifices.
Simple sacrifices like offerings of milk, grain,
ghee or flesh thrown into the fire.
Aryans worshipped Prudhvi (Earth), Agni
(Fire), atmosphere gods like Indra, Vayu,
Heavenly gods like: Varuna ( god of sky), Surya

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Economy

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Early stage main source of income cattle
breading and cattle rearing.
Agriculture was the main source of income after
100 years.
State collected tax from public.
Commerce was largely controlled by the people
called Pani
Chief items of commerce were cloth and goods
made of leather.
Transportation: chariots, horses and bullock
carts.
Carpenters and Blacksmiths were important
artisans 22
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