The Vedic Period (or Vedic Age) (c.тАЙ1500 тАУ c.тАЙ600 B.C.E.) is the period
in the history of India during which the Vedas, the oldest sacred texts of
Hinduism, were being composed. This Vedic period is divides into two
sub-periods i.e. Early Vedic period (1500 B.C.E тАУ 1000 B.C.E) and Later Vedic
period (1000 B.C.E тАУ 600 B.C.E).
The Early Vedic period
(1500 B.C.E тАУ 1000 B.C.E) is also known as the Rig Vedic period. In this period,
the Indo-Aryans believed mostly in pastoral activities, limited agriculture with
a smaller economy. They raised cattle, sheep, and goats, which became the
symbols of abundance or wealth.
Features:
-
Primarily, the Aryans lived in a region or land known as тАЬSapta SindhuтАЭ or тАЬthe land of the seven
rivers.тАЭ The land of seven rivers includes seven rivers which were, Vipash (Beas), Sindhu (Indus), Vitasta
(Jhelum), Sutudri (Satluj), Asikni (Chenab), Parushni (Ravi), and Saraswati.
-
A king ruled the Political Structure in the Early Vedic period.
-
Monarchical form of government is known as Rajan.
-
Patriarchal families, in which the Jana was the biggest social
unit in the Early Vedic period or the Rig Vedic period or times.
-
Social gathering: kula (family) тАУ
grama тАУ Jana тАУ visu.
-
The tribal assemblies were
known as the Samitis and Sabha. Some examples of the tribal
Realms are, namely, Matsyas, Bharatas, Purus, and Yadus.
-
The Social structure in the Early Vedic
period
o
The women relished a reputable position, as they were allowed to attend
Samitis and Sabhas.
o
Many of the women present there were poets (Lopamudra, Ghosa, Apala, and Viswavara).
o
Cattle, peculiarly cows, became
essential.
o
There was no practice of child
marriage.
o
Monogamy was a norm, but polygamy was found among
noble families and royalty.
o
Social differentiations existed but were not hereditary and rigid.
-
The Economic Structure in the Early Vedic
period
o
Cattle-raising people and pastoral peoples.
o
They exercised agriculture.
o
They had horse carriages.
o
The river was used as the medium for transportation.
o
Woolen and Cotton fabrics were spun around and used.
o
At first, the barter system managed the trade, but later on, those coins
were known as тАЬNishka,тАЭ which came
into use.
Later Vedic Age (between
1000 and 600 B.C.) is the period that followed the Rig Vedic Era.In this period they moved
to the Upper Gangetic basin. The
Aryans ruled Northern India from the
Himalayas to the Vindhyas during the period illustrated by Later Samhitas.
Features:
-
The Sama Veda Samhita, the Yajurveda Samhita, the Atharvaveda Samhita,
Brahmanas, and Upanishads of all four Vedas, and eventually the two great
narratives Ramayana and the MahabharataтАФwere
written during this period.
-
And this period stretches its primary dependency based on Vedic texts
compiled after the Veda.
o
The caste system was the main
characteristic of the Later Vedic Age.
o
These four major works
resulted in the formation of four major
castes over time.
o
The priestly caste known as the Brahmana
was made up of those who fulfilled religious responsibilities. The warrior
class known as the Kshatriya was
made up of those who fought in conflicts. The Vaisya were those who pursued agriculture, trade, or other
constructive endeavours. Finally, individuals who provided social and menial
services were referred to as Sudras,
the lowest caste.
o
Women lost their prior prestige during the later Vedic period.
o
Polygamy, or a man marrying multiple wives, became a
social vice. Because of their affluence, the upper castes used this system.
o
There was also a case of child
marriage. The dowry system was in use. WomenтАЩs property rights were
increasingly eroded.
-
The economy in the Later Vedic Period
o
Earthen pots and dishes constructed of painted grey pottery were discovered during excavations in the
upper Gangetic basin. As a result, these locations are known as the Painted Grey Ware sites or places.
o
In the late Vedic period, farming
was the primary source of income, and people lived in settled communities.
o
Ploughing was accomplished with a timber ploughshare.
o
The Vedic people kept growing barley,
but rice (vrihi) and wheat (godhuma) became their main crops throughout
this time.
o
During 1000 BC, iron became
popular, and it was discovered within tombs in Pakistan and Baluchistan.
o
From circa 800 BC, iron was
utilised to produce weaponry such as arrows and spearheads in Uttar
Pradesh.
o
Much of the Rig-Veda religionтАЩs
purity was lost during the later Vedic period.
o
The priestly classтАЩs dominance
grew stronger.
o
The priests devised complex
devotional rituals.
o
Sacrifices became more widespread as time went on.
o
Indra and Agni, the two most powerful gods, have lost their prominence.
o
In the later Vedic period, on the other hand, Prajapati (The Creator) ascended to the throne.
o
Some of the Rigvedic periodтАЩs minor gods, such as Rudra (the god of
animals) and Vishnu, rose to prominence (the preserver and protector of
people).