VEDIC PERIOD

Vedic Period -  1500 BC to 500 BC

The Vedic Period, also known as the Vedic Age, was the time when the Vedic Sanskrit scriptures were written in India. The civilisation that arose during this time period is known as the Vedic Period, or the Vedic Age Civilization. The Vedic Civilization developed in the Indo-Gangetic Plains of the Indian subcontinent between 1500 BC and 500 BC. This civilisation established the groundwork for Hinduism and the accompanying Indian culture. The Vedic Age was followed by the Maurya Empire and the Middle Kingdoms of India, as well as the golden age of Hinduism and classical Sanskrit literature.

The disputed Aryan invasion idea is linked to the commencement of the Vedic era. North India was once populated by darker-skinned Dravidians, who may have created the Indus Valley or Harappan civilizations, according to this idea. The Dravidians were driven south by lighter-skinned invaders called as Ayrans approximately 1,500 B.C.E. These invaders are said to have come from Iran; some migrated west, while others moved east, resulting in Indo-European languages derived from their original tongue becoming linguistic cousins. This argument also explains why the Vedas and "the ancient Iranian religion of Zoroastrianism" have certain similarities. The absolute absence of any traditions or tales portraying such an invasion goes against this idea, which was formed from F. Max Müller's linguistic studies. According to the invasion idea, Vedic literature arose from an oral tradition created outside of India. Those who oppose the Aryan invasion include Feuerstein, Kak, and Frawley, who argue that it is only a "scholarly function." The Aryans were "local to India for numerous millennia, inheriting their Sanskrit language from previous Indo-European languages," according to the Vedas' authors.

Edward Pococke, a nineteenth-century writer who may or may not be connected to the sixteenth-century Orientalist of the same name, suggested an alternate explanation. Pococke maintained in his original 1852-published India in Greece that since the "Greek language is a derivative from Sanskrit," "Sanskrit speaking people, that is, Indians, must have inhabited in Greece, and" they "must have been primordial immigrants." The "language," "philosophy," and "religion," as well as the "rivers," "mountains," and her "delicate kind of intelligence" and "politics," all suggest that Greece was "colonised from India," according to Pococke. Pococke and others believe that Indians visited Ancient Egypt and contributed to its civilisation. "We know that" the Egyptians "owe a significant debt to the wise men and sages of India," write Feuerstein, Kak, and Frawley.

 

Society and Economy

Numerous socioeconomic developments occurred throughout the early Vedic era. The concept of Varna, as well as marital restrictions, were made very strict. Brahmins and Kshatriyas were thought superior to Shudras and Vaisyas, resulting in social stratification. Cows and bulls were given religious significance. The significance of agriculture started to increase. As families grew more patriarchal, people started to wish for the birth of a son.

 

India's Religious Practices

The creators of the Rig Veda hymns, known as Rishis, were considered as celestial beings. Sacrifices and verse chanting started to take centre stage as the principal forms of worship. The principal deities were Indra, Agni (the sacrificial fire), and Soma. Surya (Sun), Vayu (Wind), Usha (Dawn), Prithvi (Earth), and Aditi were all revered in addition to Mitra-Varuna (the mother of gods). The religion's core concepts were created by yoga and Vedanta.

 

Early Vedic Period 1500 BC to 1000 BC. - The Rig Vedic Period

Initially, the Aryans dwelt in the "Sapta Sindhu" region (Land of the Seven Rivers). Sindhu (Indus), Vipash (Beas), Vitasta (Jhelum), Parushni (Ravi), Asikni (Chenab), Shutudri (Satluj), and Saraswati were the seven rivers.

 

Economic framework:

1.       They worked in agriculture.

2.       They were pastoralists and livestock raisers.

3.       Rivers were employed as a mode of transportation.

4.       Initially, commerce was carried out via barter, but later on, coins known as 'nishka' were used.

5.       They had chariots drawn by horses.

6.       Fabrics made of cotton and wool were spun and utilised.

 

Political structure:

1.       Rajan, the king, is a monarchical type of administration.

2.       Sabhas and Samitis were tribal assemblies. Bharatas, Matsyas, Yadus, and Purus are examples of
          tribal kingdoms.

3.       Families with a patriarchal structure. In Rig Vedic times, the greatest social unit was the Jana.

4.       Kula (family) – grama – visu – jana is a social classification.

 

Structure of society:

1.      Women had a respected status in society. They were permitted to attend Sabhas and Samitis. There 
         were also female poets (Apala, Lopamudra, Viswavara and Ghosa).

2.       There were social differences, but they were neither fixed or inherited.

3.       Polygamy was observed among royalty and elite households, despite the fact that monogamy was
          practised.

4.       There was no such thing as a child marriage.
5.       Cattle, particularly cows, were very valuable.

6.       Polygamy was observed among royalty and elite households, despite the fact that monogamy was
          practised.

 

Religion:

1.       The most significant god was Indra (thunder). Prithvi (earth), Agni (fire), Varuna (rain), and Vayu were
          among the other gods (wind).

2.       They personified natural elements like as earth, fire, wind, rain, thunder, and so forth and worshipped
          them as deities.

3.       There were no temples or idol worship in the area.

4.       Ushas and Aditi were the female goddesses.

  

Later Vedic Period or Painted Grey Ware Phase (1000 BC – 600 BC)

 During this period, the Aryans migrated eastward, settling in western and eastern Uttar Pradesh (Kosala) and Bihar.

 

Economic framework:

 

1.       There was industrial activity such as metals, ceramics, and carpentry but the primary source of
          income was agriculture.

2.       Foreign commerce was conducted with distant places like as Babylon and Sumeria.

Religion:

1.       Agriculture was the primary source of income.

2.       Vishnu (preserver) and Prajapati (creator) became significant gods.

3.       Indra and Agni were no longer significant.

4.       The priestly elite grew in authority, and they were able to impose the norms of ceremonies and rituals.
          Buddhism and Jainism evolved towards the conclusion of this era as a result of this rigidity.

5.       Prayers grew less important, but ceremonies and sacrifices became more ornate.

Political Structure:

1.      Rajasuya (consecration ritual), Vajapeya (chariot race), and Ashwamedha were the sacrifices (horse
         sacrifice).

2.       The King's authority grew, and he made many sacrifices to strengthen his position.

3.      Smaller kingdoms were merged to produce larger kingdoms like the Mahajanapadas.

4.       The significance of the Sabhas and Samitis has dwindled.

 

 

 

Social Structures:

 

1.      Brahmanas (priests), Kshatriyas (rulers), Vaishyas (agriculturists, merchants, and craftsmen), and
         Shudras (agriculturists, traders, and artisans) were the four divisions of society in diminishing social                   standing (servers of the upper three classes).

2.      The class differentiation system in Varna got increasingly clear. This became more hereditary and less
         reliant on profession.

3.       Child marriages were more popular.

4.      Women were not allowed to participate in public gatherings such as Sabhas and Samitis. Their social 
         standing deteriorated.

5.       There were also sub-castes depending on employment. The institution of gotras was established.